










•*-_ 



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corte'z; 

\ OR THE 

CONQUEST OF MEXICO. 

AS RELATED BY 

A FATHER TO HIS CHILDREN, 

And designed for the Instruction of Youth, 



TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF 

J. H. CAMPE, 

(Author of the New Robinson Crusoe J 

By ELIZABETH HELME, 

AUTHOR OP 
THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, ROME, &C. &C. 



A NEW EDITION, 

With the Translator's last Corrections and Improvements 



LONDON: 

PRINTED FOR C* CRADOCK AND W. JOY, 32, PATER* 
NOSTER-ROW) AND P. NORBURY, BRENTFORD* ' 



1811. 



corte'z; 

OR THE 

CONQUEST OF MEXICO* 

AS RELATED BY 

A FATHER TO HIS CHILDREN, 

And designed for the Instrudion of Youth* 



TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF 

J. H. CAMPE, 

(Author of the New Robinson Crusoe J 

By ELIZABETH HELME, 

AUTHOR OF 
THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, ROME, &C. &C. 



With the Translator's last Corrections and Improvement?* 



LONDON: 

PRINTED FOR C» CRADOCK AND W. JOY, 32, PATER- 
NOSTER-ROW j AND P. NORBURY, BRENTFORD. % 



1811. 






\^ 



S/3f7c/ 
ft. HH 



WrP 



M g 00 



Norburyt Printer, Brentford* 



INTRODUCTION. 

FOR some days after the relation of Colum- 
bus's Voyages, the young people waited, in anxious 
expectation, for their father, to give them the pro- 
mised narrative of Cortez; but however willing to 
gratify them, he resolved to exercise their patience 
early in trifles, in order to accustom them to sustain 
the more material disappointments they must neces- 
sarily meet with in their journey through life. Habitu- 
ated to obedience, no one presumed to appear dissa- 
tisfied, though all felt the utmost curiosity to hear a 
continuation of voyages which bad so greatly inte- 
rested them. One afternoon that Frederic and Char- 
lotte were seated, after their lessons, in the garden, 
the first-named, addressing his sister, said, " Can you 
guess what I wish for this evening?" 

Charlotte. Perhaps the same thing that I desire 
myself, that our father would relate to us the history 
of Cortez. 

Frederic. You have guessed right ; but do not 
you think, Charlotte, he seems as- if he had quite for- 
gotten his promise ? 

Charlotte. No, no, Frederic. Such good men as 
our dear father, do not forget their promises, and 
(continued she, jumping up) a sudden thought strikes 
isae 5 suppose we were to go and seek him, I know 
that he is somewhere in the garden, and entreat him 
to oblige us. 1 do think he would, for I am cer- 
tain that he loves to give us pleasure. What say you ? 
Shall we try I 

Frederic* 



1V» INTRODUCTION. 

Frederic. With all my heart j and if we should be 
lucky enough to be so successful — 

Charlotte, Oh, 'never fear 3 you know he is very 
good-natured. 

With these words she took her brother's hand, and 
went in search of her father, whom at length they 
found in an arbour near the spot where their conver- 
sation had taken place. He had overheard their dis- 
course, and resolved to oblige them ; the little plead- 
ers had not, therefore, much trouble to obtain their 
request, which he had no sooner agreed to, than 
jumping, skipping, and exclaiming, Cortez! Cortez! 
they hastened to the house, to collect their brothers to 
liear the recital. In a few minutes the good man was 
surrounded with his children, all anxiously inquiring 
if it were indeed true, that they were to be so far fa- 
voured- that evening. Being answered in the af- 
firmative, their satisfaction was not to be restrained 3 
some pulled him by the hands, others hung upon his 
arms, and two held by the flaps of his coat, until, to 
get quit of their importunity, he took his place on 
the turf 3 some then hastened to seek their mother, 
who, being seated, the children placed themselves 
around, waiting, in anxious silence, for the narrative 
to commence. For some minutes their father enjoyed 
the eager curiosity that was expressed on their fea- 
tures, when, to their great satisfaction, he at length 
began as follows : 



CORTEZ. 



CORTE Z. 



DIALOGUE I. 



The Father. 



I 



AM grieved, my children, to be under the ne- 
cessity of informing you before-hand, that the 
pleasure you promise yourselves from my nai> 
rative will often give place to melancholy and 
disgust. I must bring you acquainted with times, 
in which men were so degenerate, so savage, that 
it is difficult to distinguish them from wolves, ti- 
gers, and other ferocious beasts. This is indeed a 
gloomy scene, and willingly would I have spared 
you the pain of contemplating it, but some ad- 
vantage will result to you from the picture; you 
will be sensible that men are become more human- 
ized, from the rational education they now receive 
in almost every country of the known world: — ■ 
B happy 



2 CORTEZ. 

happy arc we to be born in an age where the 
means of information, and of becoming wise, just, 
and humane, are equally open to all. The prin- 
cipal advantage that we- can reap from the history 
of these barbarous times, is learning how, justly, 
to appreciate our own happiness, and our obliga- 
tions to the Almighty ; and feeling an increase of 
affection for those exalted characters which a 
beneficent -Providence has been graciously pleased 
to make the companions of our earthly pilgrimage. 
These are the reasons, my children, that induce 
me to recount to you a narrative, so replete with 
horrors, as that of Cortez. 

Diego Valasquez had, as I have informed you, 
rendered himself master of the Isle of Cuba ; but 
the conquest was infinitely beneath his ambition, 
as he held it at the will of Diego Columbus, 
whose authority he wished to throw off. The 
most probable means, he conceived of effecting 
this, was by making some new discovery of im- 
portance, which might give him a claim to an 
independent government; he therefore equipped 
two vessels and a brigantine, directing his views 
' to the West, where there was every reason to 
believe an extensive continent existed, though as 
yet undiscovered by any European. 

Frederic. Pray, father, what is a brigantine? 

The 



CORTEZ. 4 

The Father. An armed vessel, or a small man 
of war. — He gave the command of this squadron 
to one Hernandez de Cordova, who put to sea 
with it. Here is a map of those countries to 
which he is now sailing. From this time it is 
necessary to have it before us. I need not, I sup- 
pose, tell you what countries are represented on it. 

The Children. Oh, Mexico, or New Spain, to 
be sure. 

John. This at the bottom is Old Mexico. 

Nicholas. And this above New Mexico. 

John. Here, to the left, is the peninsula of 
California. 

'Theophilus. And to the right is Louisiana, and 
a part of Florida. 

The Father. This sea to the left is apart cf the 
Great 

The Children. South Sea, or Pacific Ocean. 

Christian. And on this side, to the right, is part 
of the Gulph of Mexico. 

The Father, Well, then, I shall hang the map 
on this tree, that we may have it ready to refer to. 
— Hernandez sailed to that part of Terra Firma 
which is called Yucatan, and when he had reached 
the coast, continued the same course, till he ar- 
rived at Campechy Bay* Here it is fpoiating out 
the place on the map with a stick). 

B 2 John. 



4 CORTEZ+ 

John. Where the logwood, which is used for 
dying, grows ; is it not ? 

The Father. The same — Hernandez landed on 
different parts of the coast, and had some bloody 
encounters with the natives ; but I shall pass over 
these, and hasten to a detail of more important 
events. The inhabitants of this country were 
more civilized, and at the same time more war- 
like, than those of the islands hitherto discovered. 
They wore quilted habits of cotton stuff; their 
weapons were wooden scimitars, pointed with 
sharp flints, lances, bows, arrows, and bucklers. 
Their faces ?were painted of different colours, and 
their heads adorned with bunches of feathers ; 
add to this, they w r ere the only people of Ame- 
rica who had- regular buildings of clay or stone. 
In several different rencounters between them and 
the Spaniards they had the advantage ; ^feut in 
one of them, the latter took two Indian youths 
prisoners, who were afterwards baptized by the 
names of Julian and Melchor, and proved im- 
portant acquisitions, as the Spaniards made use of 
them for interpreters and mediators between them 
and the Mexicans. 

One day having landed to fill their jars with 
fresh water, fifty Indians approached, and de«- 
manded if they were come from the place where 

the 



CORTEZ* 5 

the sun rose ? The Spaniards having answered 
in the affirmative, the Indians conducted them to 
a temple built of stone, in which were several 
idols of different hideous forms, sprinkled with 
blood apparently newly shed. Immediately two 
men in sable cloaks, with long black hair rolled 
up behind, advanced with little chafing dishes of 
clay, and throwing into them a sort of rosin, 
they fumigated the Spaniards, and with "this cere- 
mony ordered them to quit the country under pain 
of death. The Spaniards, not thinking k safe to 
contend, obeyed, and returned to their vessels, 

John. What could the savages mean by this 
fumigation ? 

The Father. Among the superstitious Ameri- 
cans it was the usual means by which? they thought 
to secure themselves from the effe6ts of witch- 
craft ; to the belief of which all savage nations 
are bigotted.* Doubtless the proof that an odori- 
ferous fumigation dissipates infected vapours, first 
gave rise to the opinion that they might also, by 
the same means, drive away the evil spirits which 
their imagination had created. In another de- 
scent which they made near Pontonchan, they were 
attacked, with, such fury by a large body of In- 
dians, that forty-seven men were left dead upon 
die spot,, and the rest so dangerously wounded, 
B3 that 



6 CORTEZ. 

that it was with the utmost difficulty they re- 
gained their vessels. Of this last number was 
Hernandez de Cordova himself. 

After this terrible defeat they sailed with all 
expedition for Cuba, where Hernandez, after 
having given a circumstantial account^ of the 
whole to the governor Valasquez, expired of his 
wounds. / 

Valasquez experienced inexpressible joy at 
the tidings of the new discoveries made in his 
name, and resolved to pursue them. He immedi- 
ately therefore equipped three new vessels, and a 
brigantine, giving the command to an officer of 
great courage and experience, named Grijalva, 
enjoining him expresslv to bound his views to 
discoveries only, without making any establish- 
ment in the countries. 

Grijalva, like Hernandez, directed his course 
toward Yucatan; but the currents caused him in- 
sensibly to deviate a little towards the South, in- 
somuch that he reached land by a different cut* 
Not far from the Eastern coast of Yucatan he 
discovered the Isle of Cozumel, which is still sub- 
ject to Spain, From thence he coasted to Pon- 
tonchan, where the last fatal engagement had taken 
place. Here, desirous of revenging their country- 
men who had been slain, and of wiping off the 

disgrace 



CORTEZ. 7 

disgrace of their recent defeat, they disembarked. 
The Indians, elate with their former advantages, 
marched courageously to attack them ; but they 
were repulsed, and two hundred left dead upon 
the field. The rest fled, and terror and dismay 
wei^e spread throughout the country. Grijalva 
again set sail, and continued to steer in the same 
direction along the coast. The Spaniards in se- 
veral districts perceived towns and hamlets regu- 
larly built, with houses of stone and clay, which 
i their imagination, as they passed, represented 
much more considerable than they really were, 
They fancied they discovered so great a resem- 
blance between Spain and this country, that they 
gave it the name of New Spain* which it has pre- 
served to this day. 

From thence they arrived at the mouth of a 
river, which the natives call Tabasco, but to which 
the Spaniards, in honour of their chief, gave the 
name of Gnjalva. You may see it here on the 
map. It now bears the latter name, but the dis- 
trict it waters is called Tabasco. The whole 
country appeared so extremely fertile, and at the 
same time so well peopled, that Grijalva could 
not resist the desire of informing himself niore 
particularly concerning it. He disembarked there- 
fore with all his troops armed, and found a body 
Bi of 



© CORTEX* 

of Indians assembled, who, by a horrible cry, 
forbad him to advance. But Grijalva, without 
regarding their menaces, marched forward, and, 
halting within arrow-shot, arranged his men in 
order of battle, and sent the two young Ameri- 
cans, Julian and Melchor, who had been made 
captive by Hernandez, to inform them that he 
was not come to give them the least offence ; 
but, on the contrary, to render them service, and 
that in consequence he was desirous of forming 
an alliance with them. The Indians, whom the 
cjose ranks, dress, and arms of the Europeans had 
already struck with astonishment, were still more 
surprised at this declaration. Some of their chiefs, 
however, ventured to advance alone, and were 
treated by Grijalva w r ith the greatest affability. 
He assured them, by his interpreter, that he and 
,his men were the subjects of a great king, the ab- 
solute sovereign of all the countries in which the 
sun rose ; that he had sent him to summon them 
also to acknowledge his superiority, and that 
upon this point he attended their resolution. 

On these words a confused . murmur arose 
among the Indians, at length one of their chiefs 
demanded silence, and in a firm voice replied, 
That it appeared extraordinary they should talk 
qf peace, and at the same time require their sub- 
mission 



CORTEZ. 9 

mission as dependants ; that they were astonished 
-also they should propose to them a new master, 
without being first informed whether they were 
dissatisfied with the one they had till now obeyed ; 
that, however, as the question was peace or 
war, it did not belong to him to give a decisive 
answer, he would therefore communicate their 
proposition to his superiors. With these words 
he left the Spaniards, who were not a little sur~ 
prised at so rational and decided a reply*. 

The same chief returned a short: time after,, 
and told Grijalva, that his superiors were under 
no apprehensions concerning the event of the war, 
if necessary, though no strangers to what had 
happened at Pontonchan ; nevertheless they ac- 
knowledged that peace was better than war, 
and, as a proof; of their sentiments, had brought 
such provisions as the country afforded, which 
they desired them to accept. Soon after the Ca- 
cique himself appeared unarmed, and with few 
attendants. Amicable salutes having passed on 
both sides, the Cacique drew from a basket which 
had been brought, different sorts of superb ar- 
mour of gold, ornamented with precious stones, 
and adorned with beautiful painted feathers, and 
told Cirijalva, tnat as a proof he loved peace, he 
requested his acceptance of those presents ; but 
Bd to 



10 C0HTEZ. 

to prevent any misunderstanding between them, 
he at the same time entreated him to leave the 
country as speedily as possible. 

The Spanish General returned the Cacique's 
civilities by different presents, consisting of ap- 
parel and other articles, which appeared 1 to be 
very acceptable, and promised, conformably to 
his wishes, to set sail immediately ; which he 
accordingly did. 

Still coasting in the same direction, he disem- 
barked on an island which lay at a little distance 
from the shore, where they also found the houses 
built of stone, and a temple. In the middle of this 
temple, which was open on all sides, an altar was 
raised, on which were placed different misshapen 
idols ; and near it were extended the bodies of 
six men, who, conformably to the horrid custom 
of the country, had been sacrificed the night be- 
fore. The impression this dreadful spedtacle 
made oil the minds of the Spaniards, caused them 
to name the country the Isle of Saciifices. You 
mav see it on the map. They were scon con- 
firmed in the opinion, that the inhuman custom 
of sacrificing men in honour of their idols reigned 
universally among this people ; for, a short time 
after their departure, from the J sie of Sacrifices, 
they cast anchor at another island, called by the 

natives 



CORTEZ. 1 1 

natives Kulva, where they saw a still greater 
number of victims immolated. At the sight of 
such abomination there was not one, even among 
the Spanish soldiers, dull and brutish as were their 
ideas, that did not shudder with horror. Grijalva 
to the former name of this island added hi§ own, 
Juan, which has by degrees been corrupted into 
St. Juan D'Ulua, its present nam©. Here it is 
on the map (pointing it out.) 

Wherever they landed they found abundance 
of gold, which, together with the fertility that 
was observed in passing the countries, inspired 
several with the idea >of settling on this rich 
coast ; but Grijalva,, scrupulously observing the 
orders which had been given him by the Go- 
vernor, Valas.quez, contented himself with simply 
taking possession, in the name of the King of 
Spain, of all the countries in which he landed. . 

In this manner he coasted till he arrived at the 
province of Panuco, which on this side is the last 
of Mexico, or New Spain ; there, at the mouth of 
a river, he was attacked by a body of Indians with 
such fury, that he was constrained to make a 
dreadful slaughter among them, He would then 
have continued to explore the coast further, but, 
alarmed at the violence of the contrary currents, 

he 



12 CORTEZ. 

he was forced to regain the road to Cuba. On 
his arrival the unjust and capricious Valasquez 
severely reprimanded him for not having profited 
by the favourable opportunity of founding a colony 
in so rich a country, although at his departure he 
had positively forbidden him to make any such 
attempt. 

Theophilus. How ! This was, I think, ex- 
tremely unjuft in\Valasquez. 

The Father. He, without doubt, a£ted very ab- 
surdly ; but 1 am sorry, my children, to be under 
a necessity of informing you, that it is often thus 
in the world. Weak and wicked men not unfre- 
quently alledge, as crimes, a scrupulous exa&ness 
in fulfilling our duties ; but happy is it for us 
when we suffer on this account, for then we are 
amply recompensed by the grateful testimony of a 
good conscience, and the joyful certainty that 
God, the eternal rewarder of good and ill, will 1 ^ 
approve what men condemn : and what is the 
censure of men compared with the approbation of 
God and our own hearts ! I shall now conclude 
for to-day. 

Nicholas. I thought* my dear father, that you 
would have told us something about Cortez ; but 
we have not hefcrd a word of him. 

Thi 



CORTEX* 13 

The Father. Were we going to represent a 
piece at the theatre, my dear Nicholas, what is 
the first thing that must be done ? 

Nicholas. The curtain must be drawn up. 

The Father, Certainly : I have to-day there- 
fore drawn aside the curtain of my history. To- 
morrow, Cortez, my hero, will appear on the 
stage. 



DIALOGUE IT, 

JL HE Father. Well, my children, the curtain 
is now drawn, and my hero shall appear. Valas- 
quez, at once ambitious, distrustful, and incon- 
stant, resolved to prosecute the great discoveries 
made in his name, and to reap from them the ad- 
vantages which they appeared to ofFer in such 
abundance. He equipped, therefore, with the 
utmost expedition, ten vessels, from twenty-four 
to an hundred tons burden. 

Charles. Pray, father, what is meant by the 
word tons ? 

The Father. I am gla'd that by your question 
you have given me an opportunity of explaining a 
term which i& commonly made use of in the news- 
papers, 



14 CORTEZ. 

papers, and wherever navigation is spoken of.— 
By the word ton, mariners do not mean a barrel of 
any kind, but a weight of two thousand pounds, 
or twenty quintals ; so that, reckoning each 
quintal an hundred pounds, a vessel of an hun- 
dred tons fignifies, in their language, a vessel that 
is capable of containing 200,000 weight. But 
to continue. Valasquez had not himself courage 
to head an expedition which promised to be at- 
tended with such toils and dangers, he was obliged, 
therefore, to give the commission to another ; the 
question was, whom to depute — one appeared 
too cowardly, another too bold, another too shal- 
low, another too wise and cautious. 

Christian. But why too bold, or too wise ami 
cautious ? 

The Father. He thought that a man of bravery 
and talents, after having made valuable acquisitions, 
would soon grow weary of dependance, and 
think of throwing off the yoke of his dominion ; 
and this was what his ambition could by no means 
brook. He was desirous therefore of rinding one, 
who, to the talents and courage necessary for the 
undertaking, joined an entire devotion to his per- 
son, and a servile obedience to his orders ; by 
whose means he might achieve great exploits, 

and 



CORTEX. 1 5 

and who would leave him all the honour and 
profit. 

Ferdinand. Upon my word, this was no bad 
scheme of Mr. Valasquez. 

Henry. No ! I think he acted very absurdly. 

Ferdinand. How so ? 

Henry. Why. did he not at once shew him- 
self to be selfish, ambitious, and cowardly ? If 
he wished to reap all the honour and advan- 
tages of the enterprise, surely he alone should 
have encountered all the dangers and difficulties 
of it. 

The Father. Henry is certainly right. Instead 
of searching for a man of servile character, he 
should rather have fixed on one of tried probity, 
and have shared with him the advantages of the 
enterprise ; he would then have ensured success, 
and, at the same time the duration of his power. 
Fortune threw in his way a man of this descrip- 
tion, but he knew not how to make use of him. 

Frederic. Who was it, father ? 

The Father. He, who from the present moment 
will be the hero of my history. 

The Children. Ah! Cortez ! Cortez! 

The Father. Himself. But it is necessary that 
I first bring you a little acquainted with him. 
He was of noble origin, born at Medillen, a little 

city 



1 6 CORTEX. 

city of Spain, in the province of Estramadura. 
From his earliest youth he had -discovered ex- 
traordinary courage, indefatigable patience in en- 
during J .tigues, an aitive imagination, and an 
ardent desire to signalize himself by great anions. 
Such is the stamp with which young men are 
marked who mean one day to distinguish them- 
selves from their fellows. Scarcely had he left 
school, when he felt an irresistible desire to enter 
upon some career that should lead him to the 
paths of glory. At that time all eyes were turned 
towards the West Indies. He also directed his 
attention that way, and resolved to become the 
associate of those adventurous men, who, de- 
spising toils and dangers, set out with the view 
of enriching their country by new posses- 
sions, and acquiring for themselves an honour- 
able renown. He had just entered his twentieth 
year when he sailed from Spain for St. Domingo ; 
and even in this, his fiisr voyage, fortune put his 
courage and fortitude to a severe proof. Dan- 
gers accumulated upon dangers, and toils upon 
toils ; but the brave and vigorous young man, the 
strength of whose body and mind is not exhausted 
by sloth, effeminacy, or dissipation, despises all. 
Labour is to him a pleasure ; watching, hunger, 
and thirst, mere trifles; nay, death itself, if needful, 

a 



CORTEZ. 17 

a matter of indifference — for what are all the 
crosses of life to a body animated by such a spirit ? 

Peter. Dear father, is it not time that I endea- 
vour to become such a one ? 

The Children exclaim, And I also. 

The Father. It certainly is ; for, when the tree 
is once bent, the stem will never become straight 
and vigorous; nor will it ever elevate its head to- 
wards the clouds. It is the same with the young 
man, whose body or mind has in his infancy ac- 
quired some evil propensity or vicious habit, to 
overcome which requires a stronger exertion than 
common minds are capable of. Laborious indeed 
must it be for him to aspire at great and glorious 
actions, the unhappy errors of youth will still 
preponderate, and retard, if not totally prevent, 
his rising to any meritorious distin&ion ; con- 
founding him among the ignoble crowd of worth- 
less men, who leave the world without having 
performed the smallest action to make them be 
remembered by posterity. 

Mathias. Oh, that we could always bear iu 
mind the good resolutions we form ! 

Frederic. Ah, brother, I wish we could. 

Mathias. Many a time have I determined to 
become a great man, but before I was aware 
have forgotten my resolution. 

The 



18 CQRTEZ. 

The Father. Since this is the case, a remedy 
must be contrived for what may become so fatal. 
I will prepare something that shall, at different 
limes in each day, refresh your memory. 

Nicholas. Dear ! what can it be ? 

The Father. I will cause these words to be 
written on aboard in large letters of gold, " Think 
$fthe End\* and this I will hang in our study, 
exactly opposite the door, so that the words shall 
meet your eye whenever you enter. — But you 
must promise me never to look upon them with- 
out at the same time making this reflection — 
" The end I propose is to become a wise and good man \ 
I ought therefore to exert all my abilities to ac- 
quire something useful, and to avoid every thing 
that may divert me from this great aim. Assist 
me, merciful Creator ! with grace to remain true 
to my resolution. " If you every day make these 
wise reflections, I may venture to promise you, my 
children, that you will advance rapidly in virtue, 
and that you will become wise, useful, and good 
men. 

Theophilus: I wish the board was there now. 

TJie Father. In a few davs your wish shall be 
accomplished. We will now return to our nar- 
rat-ive. — Cortez arrived at St. Domingo at the time 
Ovando was Governor. In his stature tali, of an 

agreeable 



CORTEZ* \Q 

agreeable countenance, with a natural affability of 
manners, his exterior alone was sufficient to create 
an impression in his favour; but this was rendered 
still stronger by the excellent qualities of his heart 
and understanding. — He was open, generous, and 
condescending; but at the same time wise, cau- 
tious, and discerning. In company he was cheer- 
ful, but he never suffered his most lively sallies to 
lead him into an expression prejudicial to any one; 
no one better knew how to turn a compliment, 
though he despised a servile adherence to forms 
and ceremony. 

These excellent qualities soon gained him uni- 
versal esteem. — Ovando himfelf conceived an af- 
fedtion for him, and was desirous of detaining him 
at St. Domingo; but his adventurous spirit 
prompting him to aspire at greater adiions, he ob- 
tained permission to accompany Valasqucz in his 
expedition to Cuba. There he soon found an op- 
portunity of manifesting his courage and great 
abilities, and rose so rapidly, that in a short time 
the important office of Alcade, or Chief Jud^e of 
St. Jago*, the capital of Cuba, was contided to 
him. Such was tiie man to whom it was pro- 
posed to Valasquez to give the command of the 
rieet he had equipped; he approved the proposition 

and 
* The Hayannahb now called the capital 



20 CORTEZ* 

and the choice was made. All who had a part in 
the expedition were inexpressibly rejoiced to serve 
under a man so skilful, so brave, and so generally 
beloved. Cortez was himself transported with so 
fair an opportunity of bringing his talents into 
adtion, and with joy expended his whole property 
in procuring a greater provision of ammunition 
for war, and in assisting those who on account of 
their poverty were unable to defray the expencc of 
their equipment. This generosity employed so 
opportunely, rendered him entire master of the 
hearts of all who accompanied him ; and the fleet 
being at length completely equipped, all the crew 
embarked. It consisted of three hundred Spaniards, 
and about two hundred of the inhabitants of the 
environs of Cuba, with some volunteers of the 
most distinguished families. The imagination of 
all these adventurers was fixed alone on the glory 
and immense treasures which they hoped to ac- 
quire in the expedition they had undertaken. The 
season and the winds were favourable. Cortez 
gave the signal to weigh anchor, and the fleet set 
sail the 18th of December, in the year 1518. 

Ferdinand. Then it was just twenty- six years 
after the first discovery of America ? 

The Father. Exa&ly. The first place at 
which the fleet touched was La Trinite ; from 

thence 



CORTEZ. 2) 

thence it sailed for the Havannah, in order to take 
in still more men and a further supply of vyatMlce 
and other stores. La Trinite and the Hava-,nah 
are ports of the isle of Cuba. Lo;>k at them once 
more on our map of the West Indies. Till the 
moment in which Cortez sailed > Valasquez had 
seemed perfectly content with his choice, al- 
though some who were envious of his reputation 
endeavoured to inspire him/. with distrust; but 
scarcely was he departed when ev£ry thing ap- 
peared entirely different. From this moment vex- 
ation and repentance preyed upon the narrow 
soul of Valasquez, and he dispatched to La Tri- 
nite an order to the Alcade to deprive Cortez, im- 
mediately on his arrival, of his letters patent. 

Frederic. What do letters patent mean ? 

The Father. When any one is appointed to an 
office, an unsealed letter is given to him, in which 
the whole of his commission is noted down, and 
all that has been agreed on. This is called a 
letter patent. 

Frederic. Thank you, my dear father. 

The Father. The Alcade of La Trinite com- 
municated the orders he had received to Cortez; 
but he, unconscious of guilt, did not conceive it 
his duty to conform to them, assuring the Alcade, 
that some misunderstanding must be alone the 

cause 



22 CORTEZ. 

cause of so sudden an alteration in the sentiments 
of the Governor: he persuaded him, therefore, to 
defer the execution of the orders till an answer to 
a letter, which he would dispatch to the Go- 
vernor, could be received. The Alcade, who was 
not in a situation to execute his commission by 
violence, consented to the delay. Cortez then 
wrote to the Governor, and immediately sailed for 
the Havannah. 

. Here he was obliged to remain some time, 
to take in the recruits he expected, and to embark 
other articles which appeared indispensably neces- 
sary to an enterprise of this nature ; especially a 
sort of cuirasses, composed of thick cotton. Cortez. 
had chosen cotton in the first instance from a 
scarcity of iron ; but he afterwards learnt from 
experience, that the cotton, slightly quilted be- 
tween two linens, was a better guard than iron 
against the arrows and javelins of the Americans, 
as they not only lost all their force, but remained ' 
entangled at the point. The iron cuirasses, on 
the contrary, made them rebound, by which means 
they often wounded the person who stood next. 
This, together with the superior convenience of 
such light armour, in a hot country, made it after- 
wards usually chosen by the European warriors 
who served in America, Thus it is that neces- 
sity 



CORTEZ* 23 

shy has often given birth to the most ingenious 
and useful inventions. At length all was pre- 
pared. — The whole squadron consisted of eleven 
vessels, the largest of an hundred tons burden, 
not more considerable now than a small merchant 
ship,* was chosen for the Admiral's vessel ; three 
others were from seventy to eighty tons, and the 
rest were but small open boats. 

yohn. Of how many tons burden are the mer- 
chant ships commonly that we now see in our 
ports ? 

The Father. From a hundred to five hun- 
dred ; but there are ships of a thousand, nay, of 
' eleven hundred tons burden, which trade to the 
West Indies, and which are as large as men of war. 
Cortez's crew amounted to six hundred and 
seventeen men, and of whom upwards of a 
hundred were sailors and mechanics, and the rest 
soldiers. Other accounts say nine hundred sailors, 
and five hundred and eight soldiers. Oi the whole 
number thirteen only were armed with musquets, 
and thirty- two with cross-bows, the rest had 
swords and lances ; so limited was at that time 
the use of fire-arms. The principal part of 
the armament consisted of sixteen horses, ten 
small pieces of cannon, which were then called 
field pieces, and four culverins, which are a sort 
of cannon very long and small, now seldom made 

use 



24 CORTEZ. 

use of. Tt was with this trifling armament Cortez 
set sail to make war in an unknown land, on a 
powerful King, whose domains, united with those 
of his neighbours, were far more extensive than 
all the countries that were under the dominion 
of the King of Spain*. This King was the So- 
vereign of Mexico, of whose power and magni* 
ficence you will soon hear more. 

Frederic. But what had he done to the King 
of Spain that he should make war upon him ? 

The Father. Nothing. 

Frederic. Why then did he make war ? 

The Father. To become master of his trea- 
sures, cities, people, and country. 

Frederic. The Spaniards were then robbers, 
father ! 

The Father. Nothing more, my dear Frederic. 

Frederic. Oh, fye ! I have done with Cortez. 
I thought he had been a generous good man ! 

The Father. He was so in many respe&s. 
In those days such dreadful superstition reigned 
among men, that all who did not profess the 

Christian 



* The empire of Mexico, if such it may be called, 
was not so extensive as has been generally supposed. 
Upon the South Sea it began at Nicaragua, and ended 
at Acapuleo. On the North Sea, from the river Ta- 
basco to that of Panuco. The inland parts, as Tlascala, 
Tepeaca, Mechoacan, Chiapa, and other districts, were 
some tributary, and some independent. 



CORTEZ. 25 

Christian religion were not considered as beings 
of the same order, but as creatures only deserving 
hatred, rejected by God, and destined to eternal 
torments. Upon this principle it was held as a 
pious and praiseworthy aftion to persecute these 
unfortunate people, despoil them of their property, 
subje£t them to the yoke of slavery and oppression, 
and force them, nominally, to embrace the doc* 
trines of Christianity*. Cortez, acute as his judg- 
ment was in other respe£ts, was blinded by this 
absurd idea. He considered himself as an instru- 
ment, in the hand of God, to punish the infidels 
of America,' and compel them to become Chris- 
tians. Is it astonishing, therefore, that with such 
sentiments he should engage in the most unjust 
war that ever disgraced the annals of history, 
with as much facility as we would now enter the 
chace in pursuit of a hare or a fox ? You see, 
therefore, my children, that it is possible for the 

same 

* Montesquieu attributes to Christianity the abo- 
lition of slavery ; but, has "it not, in some instances, 
contributed to rivet its chains ? Pope Alexander III. 
declared, that Christians should be exempt from ser- 
vitude. Had he been inspired by justice and humanity, 
he would have added, that man was not born for sla- 
very ; that the voluntary slave is a coward, and tbat he 
who is not able to break those chains by force, is inrio- 
cent in delivering himself by flight. 



26 CORTEZ. 

same man to be at once a hero and a robber, ge- 
nerous and cruel, pious and inhuman ! It is the 
natural effe£t of superstition. It never once oc- 
curred to Cortez, that it might be unjust to make 
war upon a people who could never have injured 
the Europeans, since they knew not that they 
existed. The misfortune of these poor people in 
never having heard that they had a Mediator, was 
a sufficient reason for persecuting and subduing 
them ! Oh, that there had been one enlightened, 
one courageous friend to humanity, to have opened 
the eyes of the blinded Cortez, by thus addressing 
him — " What art thou about, unhappy man ? 
What has been the crime of these harmless people, 
in whose blood thou art about to imbrue thy 
hands ? What injury have they done to thy king, 
or to thy country ? Is it a crime to disbelieve 
what is believed in Europe, if we have never 
heard that Europe exists ? Or are they not men 
because they are not Christians ? Awake, barba- 
rian, and behold if they do not bear the form of 
man 1 Behold them trembling at the sight of thy 
armed assassins, and allow that they are flesh of 
thy flesh, and bone of thy bone ! Look at their 
faces, and see if thou canst not trace some family 
resemblance ! When thou humblest the wretched 
Indian at thy feet, dost thou not feel a palpitation 

at 



CORTEZ. 27 

at thy heart, and hear, from the inmost recesses 
of thy soul, the voice of nature exclaim, "Tyrant, 
it is thy brother whom thou thus degradest, and 
who art thou ? Christian dost thou name thyself? 
the disciple of the mild Jesus, of him whose whole 
do6lrine, whose whole life breathed only love ? 
Art thou too the adorer of that merciful Being 
who causeth his sun to shine on the good and on 
the wicked, and his rain to fall on the just and on 
the unjust ? Dost thou think, infatuated man ! 
if it were the will of the all-powerful God to pu- 
nish the involuntary ignorance of this people, that 
he would have required thy arm ? Or that he 
would have appointed thee to discharge the func- 
tion in his place ? Would have commanded 
thee to become the executioner, the assassin, of 
thy brethren ? Go, wretched worm ! and before 
thou attemptest to convert others to Christianity 
by the sword, study the pacific spirit of that doc- 
trine, which was not given to sow discord among 
men, to favour murder and war, but to unite all 
nations by the close ties of benevolence and love." 
Had one been found to have spoken thus to 
Cortez, the mist with which superstition had en- 
veloped his otherwise great soul, might have been 
dissipated ; and with the same zeal he employed in 
extirpating the suffering Indians, might he have 
C 2 sheathed 



28 CORTEZ. 

sheathed his sword, or have become their declared 
protedtor against the other bands of European 
robbers. But, as he had no friend who was not 
equally under the same influence as himself, his 
unawakened conscience was silent, and the fate 
of the poor Americans was irrevocably fixed. But 
to proceed with our history : Valasquez, wich the 
greatest vexation, understood, that notwithstanding 
his express orders to the contrary, Cortez had 
been suffered to depart from La Trinite. He ac- 
cused of treason the officer who had been charged 
with the commission ; and, as his suspicions con- 
cerning Cortez now knew no bounds, he took the 
earliest precautions to prevent his escaping a se- 
cond time, and departing from the Havannah. 
In consequence, he with all speed dispatched a 
confidential messenger to the governor of that 
place, with stri£t orders immediately to seize 
the person of Cortez, and to send him prisoner, 
under a good escort, to St. Jago. Fortunately 
Cortez was apprized of the storm that threatened 
him time enough to provide for his safety. He 
immediately assembled all his men, of whose af- 
fe£tion he entertained no doubt> and, disclosing 
to them his danger, requested that they would de- 
clare their sentiments respecting it. All were una- 
nimous in exclaiming, that he ought not to per- 
plex 



CORTEZ. 29 

pfex himself with the unjust caprice of the Go- 
vernor, nor resign the command he had lawfully- 
received ; neither deliver himself into the hands 
of a judge as iniquitous as he was suspicious. 
They entreated, they conjured him not to deprive 
them, at the moment of embarking on so import- 
ant an expedition, of a chief in whom they reposed 
entire confidence, and whom they were ready to 
follow till death, through all the fatigues and dan- 
gers they might encounter. 

Cortez was soon prevailed an to grant that, to 
which his own inclination already prompted him; 
he therefore thanked the soldiers for the affe&ion 
they discovered towards him, and ordered them 
immediately to weigh anchor and set sail.— And 
now, my children, let us also weigh anchor and 
steer towards the pavilion, to partake of the rural 
supper that is prepared for us. 



DIALOGUE III. 



HEOPHILUS. To what part of the em- 
pire of Mexico, father, did Cortez steer ? 

The Father. He had resolved to follow exa6tly 

the same course as Grijalva had pursued before 

C 3 him ; 



30 CORTEZ. 

him ; he sailed therefore immediately to the Isle 
of Cozumel. A Spaniard having been formerly 
wrecked on that coast, and remaining still a slave 
to the Indians, his first object was to set him at' 
liberty. This poor man was named Aquilar ; and 
in the space of eight years which he had passed 
among the savages, he had entirely lost all traces 
of an European. He had so exadly contracted 
the colour, language, and manners of the natives, 
that it was with difficulty he was recognized for a 
Spaniard. He went naked as they did ; his skin 
was tawny ; and his hair, in the manner of the 
country, was twisted round his head. He bore an 
oar on his shoulder, had a bow in his hand, and 
on his back were a buckler and arrows. All 
his possessions consisted of a woven bag, contain- 
ing his food, and an old prayer-book, which he 
frequently perused ; but he had already so much 
forgotten the pronunciation of his mother tongue, 
that it was scarcely possible to understand him. 
According to his account, nineteen had at first 
suffered shipwreck in the environs of that coast ; 
but seven had died of hunger and fatigue, the rest 
fell into the hands of the Cacique of the country, 
who immediately sacrificed five to his idols, and 
afterwards ate them : the remainder h€ confined in 
a sort of cage, in order to fatten them, but they 

had 



CORTEZ* 31 

had the good fortune to make their escape. De- 
sponding and without succour, their only resource 
then was to wander in the forests, subsisting on 
what herbs and roots they could find there. In 
this melancholy condition they were at length 
discovered by some Indians, who conducted them 
to another Cacique, an enemy to the former, who, 
except imposing on them daily, a laborious task,, 
treated them very humanely. Shortly after,, all s 
the Spaniards, except Aquilar and one named 
Guerrero, died* These had soon an opportunity 
of rendering the Cacique such signal services in 
war, that he conceived an extraordinary affecStion 
for them. Guerrero married an Indian woman of dis- 
tinguished rank, and was soon raised to a command 
in the army , in short, he was by degrees become 
so much of an American, that on the arrival of 
the Spaniards he expressed no inclination to change 
his condition. He did not even once appear be- 
fore them, withheld, perhaps, by shame ; for, by 
the account of Aquilar, like a true Indian, he had 
pierced his nose, and painted the different parts of 
his body in the manner of trie savages. 

Cortez embraced poor Aquilar, and covered 

him with his own cloak, rejoicing greatly at the 

acquisition of so useful a person; for, as during 

Jiis long residence in the country he had acquired 

C4 a 



32 CORTEZ. 

a perfe& knowledge of the language, Cortez con- 
ceived with reason that he would be of infinite 
utility to him in his negotiations with the Indians. 
From Cozumel he proceeded to that part of 
the province of Tabasco, where the river Grijalva 
falls into the sea. Here he expecfted to have ex- 
perienced the same reception as his predecessor, 
whose name the river bore. But in this he was 
deceived • for, at the sight of the European vessels, 
the natives ran in crowds to the shore, and ap- 
peared resolute to oppose his descent. Aquilar 
was dispatched to make propositions of peace, but 
in vain; they would not even permit him to speak, 
and he returned without success. This incident 
was to Cortez as disagreeable as it was unex- 
pected. His intention had by no means been to 
begin his conquests here. He wished on the con- 
trary to gain as speedily as possible the coasts that 
lay nearest the centre of the great empire of 
Mexico, intending there to commence the pro- 
jected attack. But he now found himself in the 
disagreeable predicament either of intimidating the 
savages by threats, or of beginning in this remote 
province a war, which, however successful it 
might prove, must necessarily cost him time and 
men, neither of which he could by any means 
spare. Yet to retire, he with reason feared would 

be 



CORTEZ. 33 

be considered by the Indians as a mark of cow- 
ardice, and would render them still more insolent 
and untraceable ; a circumstance which, after 
mature consideration, appeared to him of such im- 
portance, that he regarded it as indispensably ne- 
cessary to attack the savages. Night, which now 
began to approach, prevented the immediate exe- 
cution of this design; the attack was therefore de- 
ferred till the next morning, and the interval em- 
ployed in the necessary preparations. 

At day -break all was disposed in order for 
battle. Cortez arranged his squadron in a semi- 
circle ; and La this, position, which the narrow 
banks of the river rendered judicious, he began to 
sail with the current.-— But before he came to ac- 
tion he resolved once more to attempt an accom- 
modation, and for this purpose sent Aquilar to 
announce to the savages, that it should still depend 
on them to appear as friends or enemies. Aquilar 
prepared to execute his commission; but the In- 
dians, instead of listening to him, gave the signal 
of attack, and dire£ted their canoes towards the 
European fleet. The Indians began the engage- 
ment by a shower of arrows and stones, which 
extremely annoyed the Spaniards, who nevertheless 
suffered 'them to proceed thus far without opposi- 
tion; but Cortez now gave the signal of defence, 
C5 and 



34 CORTEX. 

and by a single broadside of his artillery put an 
end to the action. The Indians, stunned by the 
unexpected thunder which roared against them, 
and terrified at the effects it produced, leaped pre- 
cipitately into the water, and exerted all their 
strength to escape by swimming. The Spanish 
vessels in the mean time gained the shore, and 
Cortez and his men disembarked without opposi- 
tion. — But all was not yet accomplished, the In- 
dians who had escaped from their enemies had fled 
into a thicket, in which a much greater number of 
these savage warriors were assembled ; these, while 
Cortez was engaged in arranging his men in order 
of battle, fell upon him. Their attack with ar- 
rows, javelins, and stones, mingled with their sa- 
vage cry of war, was really formidable, — but 
Cortez, perfectly unmoved, continued to form his 
lines till the whole corps was in complete order to 
engage; he then advanced courageously to the en- 
counter, and with an admirable boldness pierced 
through their profound morasses and entangled 
forests, terror and death preceding him, and 
opening him a passage to innumerable swarms of 
enemies. An army of warriors in battle array, 
with European arms was a sight equally new and 
terrible to the Indians; they durst not wait the at- 
tack, but fled precipitately before them. Cortez 

fought 



CORTEZ. 35 

fought at the head of his men with an heroic cou- 
rage nothing could resist. In the beginning of the 
a6lion he had left one of his shoes in the deep mo- 
rass, by which he necessarily passed, and so much 
was his mind engaged in the a£tion, that he was 
not sensible of his loss till after it was over. The 
enemy fled to Tabasco* a fortified place. 

John. Fortified? 

The Father. Yes; but it w r as a fortification 
consisting only of a range of stakes driven into the 
ground like our palisades, which surrounded the 
city in a circular form. Between this range, 
which was double, was a narrow path, which led 
to the city in a serpentine direction. Not with* 
standing the imminent danger it threatened, Cortex 
hesitated not an instant to advance by this winding 
path; but on reaching the town, he found the en- 
trance, as well as the streets, barricaded with 
stakes, and the inhabitants disposed to make head 
a second time. This new combat was soon also 
decided. The Indians were again repulsed, but 
not entirely subdued. They rallied in the square 
of the city ; again attempted the most obstinate re-* 
sistance, and were again routed. After this, they 
fled into the forests, Tabasco was taken, and the 
battle- entirely ended. Now, my children, in- 
form me what haye been your sensations during 

this. 



36 CORTEZ. 

this recital ? For whom have you been interested ? 
Have you wished the vi&ory to the brave Cortez, 
or to the Americans ? 

Some of the Children. Oh, to the first, to be 
sure. 

Others. Oh, fye ! No, certainly to the latter. 

The Father. Let us hear your reasons, Fer- 
dinand ; and you that are of his opinion, speak. 
Why do you take the part of Cortez ? 

Ferdinand. Because he fought with so much 
bravery. 

Frederic. And because he would willingly have 
had peace, if the savages would have consented. 

Theophilus. Yes, and besides this, he is our 
countryman. 

Christian. And the history would probably 
have concluded, had Cortez been conquered or 
killed. 

Henry. These ate fine reasons, indeed ! Pray 
did not the Americans conduct themselves with 
equal bravery ? 

John. And did they come to invade the country 
of the Spaniards ? Was it not rather the Spaniards 
who came to fall upon them ? 

Nicholas. And are not the Americans equally 
our brethren when they a£t with re&itude and 
justice? 

Mathias, 



CORTJEZ. 37 

Mathias. Christian, T think, has given a droll 
reason for his wishing success to Cortez. Was 
it necessary for the poor Americans to be killed, 
that our father might have something to recount 
to us ? 

Henry. For my part, I would rather the Spa* 
niards had been repulsed, even if the history had 
never been related. 

The Father to Henry ', John^.and Mathlas* Well, 
my children, you have judiciously rectified the 
error of your brothers; but I must at the same 
time also say a few words in their justification. I 
dare answer for it, that during the battle, and be- 
fore we had time to reason upon the subject, we 
should all have been inclined to take the part of 
Cortez ; and I fear the same will frequently hap- 
pen as we proceed in the history. We shall often 
forget that our European countrymen are a band 
of robbers, and that, on the contrary, the. poor 
Americans are the innocent and oppressed party ; 
and, if the victory were in our power, should each 
time award it to the man for whom we have al- 
ready conceived so great a predilection. Do not 
let this astonish you, the principle from which it 
arises is not absolutely bad ; it is in the nature of 
the human mind to be interested for those who are 
remarkable for courage and extraordinary exer- 
tions* 



38 CORTEZ. 

tions. 'Tis true we ought to consider to what 
purpose this courage is employed, and what is the 
end of these exertions ; but in the warmth of our 
admiration we commonly forget this, and hence 
it occurs, that we are frequently forced, upon cool 
reflection, to abandon with horror the interest we 
have embraced. Thus, my children, it happened 
with your brothers, when inclined to- favour 
Cortez and his banditti; the extraordinary cou- 
rage and perseverance of the Spaniards in sur- 
mounting the obstacles they encountered, were 
alone present to their imagination They were 
far from thinking of the innocence of the Ame- 
ricans, or of the natural right they had to drive 
from their lands rapacious strangers, who pre- 
sented themselves sword in hand ; but now that I 
have pointed out all this, I am convinced they will 
form a different judgment. Is it not so Christian? 

Christian. Certainly, father. But what 1 said 
was only in jest. 

The Father. I am sensible it was; — but we 
will now return to Tabasco.. Cortez did not per- 
mit his soldiers to pursue the Indians in their re- 
treat; and in this [ distinguish the man whom 
thirst of blood had not induced to become the op- 
pressor of his fellows, but who was hurried on by 
the false opinion that he was doing his duty. The 

booty 



CORTEZ. 3Q 

booty was beneath the expectation of the Spaniards; 
the Indians having carried off into the woods all 
that was valuable, leaving only a store of provi- 
sions, which came very a-propos to the weary and 
famished Spaniards. In the early part of the 
night, Cortez stationed all his men in three tem- 
ples, situated in the most elevated parts of the city, 
and took care to place sentinels to secure them 
from all no&urnal surprise. He himself several 
times went the round ; that is to say, he went to 
see that the sentinels he had posted did their duty. 
Towards morning he caused the environs of the 
woods to be visited, but none of the Indians were 
either to be heard or seen. 

This appeared suspicious; and in consequence 
he dispatched spies into the more distant districts, 
who returned with the disagreeable intelligence 
that they distinguished an innumerable body of the 
natives, whom they estimated at not less than 
forty thousand, who were apparently preparing to 
renew the attack. Situated as Cortez then was, 
this news would have been sufficient to intimidate 
the most courageous; for what was not to be ex* 
pedted from a body almost an hundred times su- 
perior in number, composed of men driven to the 
last extremity, and reduced to the necessity of 
fighting for their country, their temples, their lives, 

and 



40 CORTEX. 

and their liberty ? Cortez felt the danger of his 
situation in its fullest extent ; but, entire master of 
his passions, he assumed an air as tranquil and 
serene as if the matter in debate had been a mere 
trifle. His example inspired his men with equal 
intrepidity, and they joyfully followed their leader 
into a place where he chose for them a post, the 
most advantageous relative to their small number. 

Here Cortez arranged his little army in order 
of battle, at the foot of a hill, the height of which 
defended them from an attack behind, while from 
the summit he could play off his artillery with the 
greater freedom and effecl:. He himself retired, 
wirh his cavalry, into an adjacent wood, that 
he might from thence, at a proper opportunity, 
fall unawares upon the enemy. Thus arranged, 
in formidable silence they expected its approach. 

At length it appeared But, that you may 

form a lively idea of the manner in which the 
people of America made war, I will, before I pro- 
ceed, give you a - circumstantial detail both of 
their equipment and of their conduct during a 
battle. 

The greater part of them were armed with 
bo.ws and arrows. The bow-strings were made 
of the entrails of beasts, or of the hair of deer 
twisted, and the arrows of strong fish bones pointed* 

Their 



CORTEZ* 4 1 

Their javelins were formed either to lanch afar, 
or to be used as swords in closer encounters ; but 
one of their most formidable weapons was a sabre, 
made of ->iard wood, the edge of which was 
composed of sharp stones, and so weighty, that, 
like a hatchet, both hands were necessary to make 
use of it. Some among them also carried clubs ; 
others slings, with which they had the art of 
hurling large stones very dexterously, and with 
great effedt. 

The chiefs alone made use of defensive arms, 
which consisted of a quilted cotton cuirass, and a 
buckler of wood, or the shell of the tortoise. The 
rest were quite naked, but to give them a ter- 
rific air, they painted their faces and bodies of va- 
rious colours ; and, to add to their stature, wore 
upon their heads a bunch of large feathers. <? 

Their martial music agreed with their equip- 
ment. They used a flute made of reeds, and 
large shells for their wind instruments, with a drum 
formed of the trunk of a tree hollowed. The art 
of combating in close ranks- was absolutely un- 
known to them ; but they observed a certain order 
in dividing their army into small parties, of which 
each had ks^chief. They had also, in common 
with the Europeans, the method of not leading all 
their forces at once into the field, but of reserving 

a 



42 CORTEX. 

a part for a resource ; or, to speak in the military 
language, for a corps de reserve, to come as neces- 
sity required to the assistance of those who were 
foremost, e 

- Their first attack was accompanied by a hor- 
rible and excessively piercing cry ; but if it hap- 
pened that the enemy sustained this onset, and 
succeeded in throwing the first ranks that advanced 
into disorder, and making them give way, then, 
on account of the press and confusion, the whole 
army was in a few minutes routed, and a general 
flight ensued. Such was the enemy that the 
Spanish corps saw advance towards them in 
numerous battalions. Firm and unmoved, the 
little army of Europeans expe6led the attack in 
silence. They w T ere already advanced within bow- 
shot, and began the combat by a horrid cry, and a 
shower of arrows which obscured the air. The 
Spaniards answered them by the thunder of can- 
nons and musquets, which soon thinned the bat^ 
talions of the enemy ; but the intrepid Indians,, 
far from being intimidated, with shouts of defiance 
filled up the breaches they had made. They threw 
sand into the air, which raised a cloud of dust, to 
conceal their loss ; and, drawing their arrows, 
rushed with ardour ipto the thickest of the battle. 
The Spaniards did their utmost to oppose the su- 
perior 



CORTEX. 43 

perlor force of the enemy ; but their fury, and 
the numbers that advanced close upon each other, 
rendered it impossible long to resist. Their ranks 
were already broken in several places, and seemed 
the dreadful prelude of an entire defeat, when on a 
sudden Cortez issued from the wood at the head of 
his cavalry, and fell upon the centre of this formi* 
dable multitude. This w^ a spedtacle equally 
new and terrible to the poor Indians, who had 
never before seen men on horseback. They were 
immediately struck with the idea that usually pre- 
vailed, viz that the two composed only one mon- 
ster, half man and half beast ; and so great was the 
surprise it caused, that their weapons fell from 
their hands. This gave the Spaniards time to rally, 
the fire of the artillery became fiercer, and the 
poor Indians, pressed on all sides, and half dead 
with terror, fled in disorder. 

Cortez, satisfied with having a second time 
shown his superiority, immediately gave orders 
for the slaughter to cease ; contenting himself with 
causing some of the fugitives to be taken alive, in 
order to make use of them in concluding a peace 
with the whole nation. Eight hundred Indians 
were left dead on the field of battle, while the 
Spaniards lost only two men ; but there were se- 
venty wounded. The number of the wounded 

among 



44 €QRTEZ* 

among the Indians could not be ascertained, all 
those who had strength sufficient having fled. 

The next day Cortez caused some of the pri- 
soners to be brought before him. Terror and an- 
guish were impressed on their countenances, each 
expecting to hear his sentence of death pro- 
nounced ; but what was their joy and surprise, 
when the Spanish General received them with the 
utmost kindness, and announced to them, by Aqui- 
lar, that they were free! Their transports were 
still further encreased, when Cortez, to this un- 
expected pardon, added a present of European 
baubles, which he knew would please them. 
Frantic with joy., they hastened to inform their 
companions how generously they had been treated; 
and what is commonly the consequence of gene- 
rosity and kindness followed, viz. the gaining of 
those hearts which were but a short time before 
filled with rage and vengeance. 

Full of confidence and good-will, several In- 
dians came down soon after, to bring them provi- 
sions, and were magnificently rewarded. The 
Cacique himself sent ambassadors, with presents* 
to demand peace, which was readily granted ; and 
as he came shortly after in person, it was con- 
firmed by reciprocal presents, which were agree- 
able to both parties. Among others, the Cacique 

* sent 



CORTEZ, 45 

i 

sent Cortez twenty young girls, who were ac- 
quainted with the art of making the Indian bread. 
One of them, who was afterwards baptized by the 
name of Marian, was the daughter of an Indian 
Cacique. She had been forced from him in early 
youth, and had been afterwards sold to the 
Cacique of Tabasco. This young Indian united 
to great beauty, extraordinary talents ; and as she 
in a short time acquired the Spanish language, she 
rendered great services to the Spanish General in 
his negotiation's with the Mexicans. 

It is said that Cortez from gratitude married 
her, and that they had a son named Martin 
Cortez. 

While the Cacique and the principal Indians 
were conversing with Cortez, the horses of the Spa- 
niards were heard to neigh ; this alarmed the In- 
dians, who inquired, with terror, wharthose for- 
midable powers (meaning the horses) would have ? 
The Spaniards replied, that they were enrage! 
with them, for not having punished the Cacique 
and his people, for their presumption in having 
opposed the Christians. Scarcely was this answer 
given, when, with the view of effecting a recon- 
ciliation with these tremendous creatures, they 
ran and brought quilts for them to repose on, and 
a variety of poultry to regale them; humbly ask- 
ing 



46 CORTEZ. 

ing pardon for their offence, and promising 
thenceforth to acknowledge the superiority of the 
Christians. 

The Spaniards then made preparations for their 
departure, still continuing in the resolution of ad- 
vancing towards the western coast of the country. 
To-morrow, if the wind be favourable, we will 
attend their departure. 

Peter. What wind was necessary to them, 
father ? 

The Father. The map will inform you. Look, 
here is Tabasco ; on that side is Vera Cruz, for 
which they intended to sail. Now what wind do 
you think was necessary ? 

Peter. A wind from the east. 

The Father. Well, then, imagine yourselves 
in the situation of Coitez. Look well to the vane, 
and tell me when the wind, which is now in the 
west, shifts to the east ; for till then I shall pro- 
ceed no farther with my history : I am resolved, 
like Cortez, to remain at anchor. 



DIALOGUE 



CORTEZ. 47 

DIALOGUE IV. 

JL HE young folks, who knew it was useless 
to dispute any resolution which their father had 
once formed, often turned a wishful look at 
the vane, to see if the wind shifted toward the 
east, since that was the period he had fixed for the 
exercise of their patience ; but, alas ! it continued 
long in the west, and consequently their entertain- 
ment was suspended — ** This is just as we were 
served at Copenhagen," said John, alluding to an 
excursion they had made a few months before 
with their father, and in which they were, for 
some days, weather bound " How vexatious 
that the wind does not change!" — " And this, 
my dear boy," said the father, who overheard the 
exclamation, is exactly what will often happen 
to you in your progress through life. You must 
not always expect favourable gales ; your most 
ardent wishes will be often disappointed. When 
chance, therefore, affords you an opportunity of 
exercising so necessary a virtue as patience, con- 
sider it as a peculiar advantage, and fail not to 
profit by it ; for, be assured, my children, very 
often in your intercourse with mankind, you will 
have need of it. Woe be to those who neglect 

the 



48 CORTEX. 

the culture till the moment in which the practice 
is become necessary ! Patience, young citizens 
of the world, remember patience ! which must 
assist your navigation on the ocean of life. Be 
assured that there are many calms, tempests, and 
contrary winds,, which will retard your progress, 
cause you to deviate from your course, strand 
your baik on dangerous quicksands, and even 
shatter it among rocks. Therefore, once more 
remember patience ; and may the trifling vex- 
ation you now suffer, from the continuance of 
the westerly wind, prepare you all to endure 
greater, should occasion require!" 
, During several days after, the wind continued 
to biow without interruption fiom the west, and 
the narrative was still delayed. At length one 
morning, between five and six o'clock, just after 
their father was risen, those among the young 
people who were the most impatient to hear the 
history, and who had for several days risen ear- 
lier to examine the wind, rushed into his chamber, 
and almost stunned him with the cry of " An 
easterly wind ! An easterly wind !" In vain did 
he entreat them to spare the drum of his ears, for 
which he was seriously alarmed. No quarter 
was given ; they laughed, they jumped, they 
sung, till self-defence obliged him, with the loss 

of 



CORTEZ. 4Q 

of one of his slippers, to follow them into the 
meeting parlour, where he seated himself, and, 
having rubbed his eyes, which were yet scarcely 
open, began as follows:— 

Rejoiced at the success of a war, which 
might have been attended with the most fatal con- 
sequences, and inspired with the hope of being 
equally fortunate in his other enterprises, Cortez, 
with his vi&orious army, quitted the province of 
Tabasco to proceed in his perilous career. Ail 
having re-embarked, they weighed anchor; a fresh 
gale from the east filled their sails, and the squa- 
dron steered to the westward.— Here their father 
rose, and, making a profound bow to his young 
auditors, without uttering a word withdrew to his 
chamber to finifh dressing himself. In vain did 
they entreat him to return, and even some of-them 
ran after him to bring, him back. You had 
certainly, said he, a right to exa£t the per- 
formance of my promise; but I bargained for no- 
thing more than to let the Spaniards depart as 
soon as we should have an easterly wind. I have 
kept my word, and you have a right to demand 
no more; suffer me now to be as pundlual in my 
promise as you have been in maintaining your 
rights. — In the evening I will continue. With 
these last words he left them ; and, as reason was' 
D evidently 



50 CORTEX. 

evidently on his side, no one had courage to reply. 
Each had therefore recourse to patience. Even- 
ing at length arrived, to the great satisfaction of 
his young auditors, when their father, without 
further preamble began in these words: — 

Cortez in this second voyage visited all the 
places at which Grijalva had before touched. He 
also at length arrived at the isle of St. Juan de 
Ulua, of which I lately spoke, and caused his 
squadron to cast anchor between that island and 
the main land. He had not continued there long, 
before two pirogues or Indian barks, made simply 
of the trunks of large trees, approached. The 
Indians who were in them, and who appeared to 
be of consideration, fhevved neither defiance nor 
fear, and Cortez received them on board his vessel 
with every mark of amity. On their beginning 
to converse, Cortez expected to hear their propo- 
sitions from his interpreter Aquilar; but was 
much disappointed to find that he understood not 
one word of the Mexican tongue, w T hich w ; as 
spoken by these Indians, and they on their part 
were entirely ignorant of that of Yucatan, the two 
languages being totally different. This was an 
unlucky circumstance for Cortez, — he never- 
theless remarked with great joy, that one of the 
Tabasco slaves, named Marian, she of whom we 

have 



CORTEZ. 5 I 

have before spoken so highly, entered into earnest 
discourse with some of the Indians; and he soon 
f jund that this young woman, being born in a 
province of the Mexican Empire, and after her- 
captivity having been carried to Yucatan, spoke 
with equal facility the language of both countries. 
Negotiations therefore immediately commenced. 
Marian addressed the Mexicans in their own 
tongue, and communicated the substance of thair 
propositions, in the Yucatan language to Aquilar, 
who, thus informed, conveyed it to the general 
in Spanish. 

Thus it was necessary on both sides for ex- 
planations to take place in three different lan- 
guages before they could render themselves intel- 
ligible, Cortez at length, by these indirect: means, 
understood that Pilpator, governor of the country, 
and Teutile, general of the Great Emperor Mon- 
tezuma, had commissioned these Indians to inquire 
with what intention he was come thither, and to 
offer him the succours he had occasion for to pro- 
ceed on his voyage. I conclude it is unnecessary 
to point out to you, that the style of this address 
bespoke a people very different from all the savage 
tribes they had hitherto encountered in the West 
Indies. Cortez felt the difference, and replied in. 
the most polite" and gracious terms, that he was 
D 2 ' come 



52 CORTEZ. 

come with the amicable intention to bring the 
chief of their nation tidings that would prove in- 
teresting to the whole country, He then sent 
back the ambassadors, loaded with presents, and 
immediately, without awaiting their return, began 
to disembark his men, horses, cannon, and all his 
artillery of war. The peaceable inhabitants "of 
the district ran in crowds to lend an assisting hand 
to those who were soon to become their op- 
pressors, and to consti u£t for them cabins of the 
blanches of trees. Oh ! that their tutelary angel 
had disclosed to them the future, and shewn them 
the return they would one day meet for the hos- 
pitable assistance they now pressed forward with 
such haste to give !— How would they have shud- 
dered before these wolves in sheep's clothing, and 
have exerted their utmost efforts to have driven 
them from their coasts! — But Providence ? w T hose 
designs are impenetrable, had decreed, that these 
unfortunate people should bend beneath the Eu- 
ropean yoke. The reason is only known to Him 
o governs the universe with a goodness and 
Idom that is unchangeable, and who suffers a 
small evil, that unmeasurable good may soon or 
late accrue from it. Sensible of our own littleness, 
it is our part to adore in silence. 1 he next d v, 
Pilpator and Teutile appeared in person, with a 

numerous 




CORTEZ. 53 

numerous suite of armed Mexicans. Their equi- 
page was magnificent, and conformable to the 
majesty of a powerfulsovereign. Corcez thought 
it policy to make on his side as much parade as 
circumstances would admit, to inspire the Mex- 
icans with a high opinion of him, and of the po- 
tentate whose ambassador he announced himself. 
In consequence he ordered his soldiers to remain 
near him with all their military pomp, and to 
keep a respedlful silence. After this he received 
the Mexican grandees with an air of dignity cal* 
culated to command respect. — -To the questions 
they put to him, he replied with brevity and an 
,affe£ted haughtiness, — that he was come from 
Charles of Austria, the great and powerful Em- 
peror of the East; — that this monarch had charged 
him with propositions to the Emperor Monte- 
zuma, which required a personal interview, and 
that he desired to be conduced to him. 

As some among you have not yet studied mo- 
dern history, it is necessary that I inform you who 
Charles of Austria was, whom Coi tez called Ess? 
peror of the East. You recolledt that at the tv} 
of Columbus, Ferdinand, the Catholic, reigned in 
Spain. This Ferdinand had no son, but a daughter 
named- Jane, married to Philip, an Austrian prince. 
She had a son called Charles, the same who is al- 
D 3 luded 



54 CORTEZ. 

luded to by Cortez ; for on the death of Ferdinand, 
King of Spain, Charles his grandson being the next 
heir to the throne, was crowned, and thus united 
Spain to the sovereignty of the Netherlands, which 
he had possessed since^the death of his father. He 
was afterwards even created Emperor of Germany, 
and thus became one of the most powerful princes 
that had ever reigned in Europe. He was com- 
monly .called Charles the Fifth, because he was - 
the fifth of that name that had possessed the empire - 
of Germany. As you will now "understand of 
whom Cortez is speaking, I may continue my 
narrative. The resolute declaration of the Spanish 
general threw the Mexican grandees into visible 
embarrassment, as they were sensible that the re- 
quest which Cortez made of an interview with the 
Emperor Montezuma w r ou!d be extremely disa- 
greeable to the latter. 

John. Why so? 

The Father, From the first appearance of the 
Europeans on the coasts of Mexico, Montezuma 

^experienced the utmost inquietude, chiefly on 
(at of an ancient tradition which prevailed in 
that country, intimating, that towards the east 
lived a formidable people, who sooner or later 
would come and overthrow the empire of Mexico, 
and render themselves masters of it. It is not easy 

/ to 



CORTEZ. 55 

to discover from whence such a report could arise; 
but certain it is. that this ancient prophecy had 
overwhelmed the superstitious Mexicans, and 
Montezuma himself, with the most serious appre- 
hensions. On this account the demand of Cortez 
to he conducted to the capital of the emperor, 
greatly embarrassed the envoys. However, before 
they replied to this disagreeable request,, they en- 
deavoured to obtain the good -will of the general 
by considerable presents. Cortez expressed his 
satisfaction, and they then took courage to declare, 
to him that it was impossible they could acquiesce 
in h'is demand. But what was their astonishment 
when Cortez, assuming an austere countenance, 
replied with an air of authority, that he was abso- 
lutely obliged to persist in it ; since he could not 
possibly return to the great and powerful monarch 
whose ambassador he was, without having exe- 
cuted the orders with which he was charged. 
This was more than they expedted ; and they had 
no other alternative than to entreat Cortez to wait 
till they had informed the emperor Montezum&jpf 
his intentions, and were acquainted of his pleijM[ 
upon this subject. This was agreed to. 

Mathias. And did the Mexicans really give 
Montezuma the name of Emperor? 

D4 The 



oQ CORTEX. 

The Father. No, certainly, Mathias; for in 
that case they must have spoken the same lan- 
guage as their visitors. They called him in the 
Mexican language, their Sovereign Lord, their 
Master, and their absolute King; but the Spa- 
niards, as he was so great and powerful a prince, 
gave him the title of Emperor, to which they had 
been for some time accustomed, as Charles the 
Fifth, their king, was, as before observed, also Em- 
peror of Germany. During this conversation, 
artists in the suite of the Mexican lords were busy 
in designing, on pieces of white cotton, every thing 
remarkable that they had an opportunity of ob- 
serving among the Europeans. Cortez under- 
standing that their designs were to be sent to the 
emperor, resolved to exhibit obje£ts still more in- 
teresting and capable of making a more powerful 
impression on the heart of Montezuma. With 
this view he caused his whole military corps to 
place themselves in battle array, and presented to 
the astonished Americans the tremendous and 

»ifictnt representation of a battle in the Eu- 
n manner. The Indian spectators were 
seized with such terror, that some fled, others in 
the greatest agitation threw themselves on the 
ground, and it was with the utmost difficulty others 

could 



CORTEX. 57 

could be persuaded that what they heard and saw 
was merely a sport exhibited to entertain them. 

Now it was that the artists had need of their 
utmost skill to represent all the horrors and des- 
truction of the European ta&ics, of which they 
were living witnesses. They delineated with a 
trembling hand, and the relation, with some Eu- 
ropean trifles, was conveyed by swift couriers to 
Mexico, the capital city, to be transmitted to the 
emperor; for throughout the country, from the 
most distant province to the capital, were stationed 
at certain regular distances, well exercised mes- 
sengers, by whose means the emperor might, in a 
very short time, be informed of all that was pass- 
ing in the different parts of his extensive domains. 

Peter. How far from Mexico was the place 
where the Spaniards then were ? 

The Father. Above an hundred and eighty Eng- 
lish miles. How many German miles does that 
make ? 

Peter. Oh, that is not difficult to compute. 
Four times four make sixteen, and two remain — 
five times four is twenty — forty-five German 
miles. w - 

Theophilus. Then four English miles answer to 
one German ? 

D 5 Peter. 



58 CORTEZ. 

Peter. You are right, child ; but remember, 
that in this calculation, the German, as well as 
the English mile, is taken in its most limited ex- 
tent. Otherwise, we commonly reckon live. 

TheophiluS) ironically. Upon my word, Sir, 
you speak very learnedly. 

John. But does the gentleman know what 
makes a French mile ? 

Peter. That is to say, a league. 

John. Yes. 

Peter, reflecting. A league — we were not talk- 
ing of that. 

John. Defeated! defeated! Come, Mr. 

Pedant, confess yourself conquered, and learn 
that a league and a half make a German mile. 

Peter. True, true, as I said, or rather as I 
did not say, a league is something more than half 
a German mile. 

Ferdinand. What everlasting babblers ! For 
goodness sake, peace ; and do not interrupt the 
history. 

The Father. The couriers, as I have told you, 

irted. In a few days they returned with the 
emperor's answer, which was, as Cortez ex- 
pected, a denial to his request ; but, to soften the 
disagreeable impression this refusal might make, 
Montezuma accompanied it with presents truly 

worthy 



CORTEZ. 5Q 

worthy of a. King. Pilpator and Teutile were 
charged with this disagreeable commission, but 
they wisely began the negotiation by the delivery 
of the presents, with the view probably of pre- 
paring the mind of Cortez to receive the refusal in 
good part. The presents, Borne with great solem- 
nity by a hundred Indians, were deposited upon 
mats at the feet of Cortez, and immediately riveted 
the attention of the avaricious Spaniards, who 
were inexpressibly astonished at a specimen of 
riches so far surpassing all their most extravagant 
hopes had represented of the treasures of the coun- 
try. On one side were calicoes equalling silks 
for the fineness of their texture; on the other, re- 
presentations of animals, trees, and other natural 
objects, wrought so skilfully in feathers of various 
colours', that they might easily have been mis- 
taken for paintings. There were also bracelets, 
necklaces, and other trinkets, wrought in solid 
gold, with the utmost skill and elegance. But as 
the sun obscures the brightness of every other ob- 
ject, all these precious articles were eclipsed by- 
two large orbs, one of massive gold, representing 
the sun, and the other of silver, pourtraying the 
moon ; and, as if they were resolved to omit nothing 
that might inflame the cupidity of the Spaniards, 
among other things were found several boxes filled 

with 



60 CORTEZ. 

with precious stones, pearls, and gold Just, like 
that found in the rivulets of the country, or in the 
mines. 

Cortez accepted these magnificent gifts in a 
manner that testified great respect for the Em- 
peror ; after which the envoys acquitted themselves 
of the disagreeable part of their commission. 
They declared, in the name of their master, that 
they could not grant an entry into the capital, to 
foreigners, nor permit them a longer sojourn in the 
Mexican Empire ; they therefore prayed them to 
hasten their departure. 

How just and reasonable soever this request, 
Cortez did not assume an air of less displeasure, 
and affirmed, still more imperiously than before, 
that his own honour, and that of his King, abso- 
lutely forbade him to accept this refusal, or to re- 
turn, until he had the interview he demanded whh 
the Emperor. 

Nothing could exceed the surprise of the Mex- 
icans, accustomed to the most abject submission 
towards their princes, to hear with what audacity 
this extraordinary man insisted on what had been 
absolutely refused by their sovereign. Such a pre- 
sumption was in their eyes an abomination so ng- 
heard of, that it was some time before they reco- 
vered from their astonishment. At length, recol- 
lecting 



CORTEX . 6 1 

lecting themselves, they entreated the presumptuous 
European, who appeared to them more and more 
formidable, to grant them a delay of some days, 
that they might convey advice to the capital, of his 
unexpected perseverance in his demand. Cortez 
censented to this new delay, but on condition only 
that he should wait no longer than the stipulated 
time for an answer. 

Whatever resolution and courage Cortez might 
display in the whole of this negotiation, he could' 
not, in reality, be free from uneasiness. Every 
thing convinced him that he had to do with a very 
powerful and well -governed state ; and it appeared 
to be the utmost temerity to attempt the overthrow 
of so mighty an empire with a handful of Spanish 
adventurers. He did not, however," persevere 
the less steadily in his plan; resolving to hazard 
this daring enterprise, whatever it might cost him. 
To this he was impelled by two reasons ; the first 
was religious zeal, which induced him to believe 
he should further the views of Heaven in subduing 
an idolatrous nation, and forcing them to become 
Christians. The second arose from his own cri- 
tical situation ; for, after what had passed between 
Valasquez and him on his departure from Cuba, 
he could have no hopes of remaining unpunished 
on his return. His life, therefore, being iix danger, 

he 



62 



CORTEZ. 



he preferred risking it in an enterprise of this na- 
ture, to expose himself to . the danger of losing it 
on his return to Cuba by the hand of the execu- 
tioner. Unfortunately in his army were some who 
experienced reflections equally uneasy upon the 
subject of the approaching expedition ; and these 
were the very people who in their hearts espoused 
the cause of Valasqucz. They therefore exerted 
their utmost efforts to inspire the whole army with 
their own doubts and fears, with the view, if it 
were possible, of exciting a general insurrection, 
and forcing their commander to return to Cuba; but 
in this they failed, the greater part being too strongly 
occupied with the idea of the immense treasures 
which they hoped to possess, for any thing to 
divert them from their purpose, besides which, 
they thought there was reason to expect an answer 
from Mexico, conformable to their desires. 

The ambassadors at length returned, but with 
an answer by no means favourable to the wishes 
of the Spaniards; for, whatever might be the terror 
with which the obstinacy of Cortez had impressed 
Montezuma and his council, they took the manly 
resolution of persisting in their refusal, and keep- 
ing the importunate Europeans at a distance. 
Teutile was the bearer of this unwelcome- mes- 
sage, 



CORTEX. 63 

sage, which was again accompanied with the 
most considerable presents. 

In this interview Cortez thought it adviseable 
to wave something of his former haughtiness. He 
replied therefore, with an air of great composure, 
that the Christians held it as a duty to instruct 
their fellow-creatures in a religion that would 
teach them the way to happiness ; that his Sove- 
reign had sent him to draw the Emperor of 
Mexico and his subjects from an error in which he 
could not, without compassion, behold them ; that 
to effeitthis, an interview with the Emperor was 
necessary, and that in consequence he must still 
continue to ur-ge his demand till it should be 
granted. Teutile, burning with rage and impa- 
tience, having with difficulty attended to the end of 
this palliative address, rose with indignation, and 
replied, that since he saw amicable expostulations 
had no effect, they must have recourse, to more " 
efficacious means to enforce the orders of his 
master. With these words he hastily withdrew 
his suit ; the Mexicans, who were in the camp of 
the Spaniards, immediately followed, and in a short 
time the adjacent country was entirely forsaken 
bv its inhabitants. 

This was more than Cortez expected ; he was 
struck with astonishment, but his companions still 

more 



64 1 CORTEX. 

more so. With heavy hearts they foresaw the 
fatal consequences to which this incident might 
lead ; and the least evil they expected was a total 
want of provisions, which the hospitable inhabit- 
ants, till now, had plentifully provided for them. 
The malecontents of the army profited by the uni- 
versal discouragement that prevailed, and endea- 
voured to force the general to regain the roads of 
Cuba. They now ventured to exclaim loudly 
against him, accused him of weak temerity, and 
excited their comrades no longer to suffer him to 
conduct them m an enterprise that must end in 
their destruction. 

Cortez, who, to an astonishing courage, united 
a circumspect prudence, which often degenerated 
into cunning, by means of his confidents sounded 
the general sentiments of the army ; and hearing 
with pleasure that the clamours of the seditious, 
the secret partizans of Valasquez, made but a slight 
impression on the greater part of the soldiers, he 
assembled the principal authors of the revolt, 
among whom w T as one called Ordaz; and addres- 
sing them with an air of composure and affabilitv, 
requested their sentiments upon the measures he 
should pursue. Far from disguising them, they 
insisted unanimously that there was nothing left 
but to embark, as soon as possible, for Cuba. 

Cortez 



CORTEZ. 66 

Cortez heard them with the utmost calmness, 
and then replied, that, for his own part, he could 
not perceive the dangers with which they alarmed 
themselves, but that his design was by no means to 
force them to follow him against their inclinations; 
what they wished, therefore, should be done. Hq, 
then immediately caused it to be published through- 
out the camp, that every one should prepare him- 
self to re-embark, and sail for Cuba. Cortez had 
clearly foreseen the consequences of this proclama- 
tion, The Spaniards, whose ideas from their first 
descent on this coast had been fixed invariably on 
the treasures they had in view, were thunderstruck, 
upon hearing that they must at once relinquish the 
flattering hope of possessing them ; and that, with- 
out having reaped the least reward for the fatigues 
they had till now undergone, they must return to 
their homes poorer than they had left them. They 
could not endure this discouragement ; and a mur- 
mur of discontent on the capriciousness of their 
commander soon pervaded the whole camp. Cor- 
tez, transported with the success of his stratagem, 
heard their reproaches with pleasure, as he fore- 
saw they would be the means of accomplishing 
his design. He even took measures to increase 
the discontent of the soldiers through his confi- 
dents, who complained still more loudly, that from 

mere 



66 CORTEZ. 

mere cowardice he wished to stop them in the high 
road to honour and riches. The result of this 
manoeuvre was a tumult among the soldiers, 
all demanding, with ungovernable fury, that their 
general should appear before them. This 
was what Cortez desired ; and he immediately- 
presented himself, feigning the utmost astonish- 
ment. All unanimously reproached him with hav- 
ing despaired of the success of an enterprise which 
would visibly extend the true religion, and procure 
their country the greatest honour and advantages. 
To this they added, that as for themselves, they 
were firmly resolved to proceed to the end of the 
glorious career in which they had embarked, and 
that they should choose another commander, if 
cowardice induced him to forsake them. 

How grating soever w r ere these expressions ia 
the mouths of subaltern officers, they were pleasing 
to him to whom they were addressed. Cortez, 
perfectly versed in the art of dissembling, still 
counterfeited the utmost astonishment, and seemed 
with difficulty to recover from it. At length he 
verbally expressed his surprise, and assured them 
that it had never once entered his thoughts to 
abandon hopes which appeared equally dazzling 
and well-founded ; but that, as it was represented 
to him s that the whole: army were discouraged, 

and 



CORTEZ. 67 

ind insisted upon returning, he had, against his 
inclination, taken the resolution of complying with 
their desires. His soldiers, re-animated with this, 
discourse, here interrupted him. and exclaimed, 
with one voice, that he had been deceived ; that a' 
small number of poltroons had falsely attached 
their cowardice to the whole army ; '* but far be 
it from us," said they, " to acknowledge as ours 
the sentiments of these pusillanimous wretches ;" 
that, on the contrary, they were ready to expose 
their lives, and to shed the last drop of their blood, 
in the glorious enterprise upon which they had 
§et out; that he might lead them whither he would, 
as they were firmly resolved to share with him 
every hardship and fatigue, and to follow him till 
death through all perils, however formidable they 
might be. 

Cortez, in a manner that expressed joy, con- 
fidence, and courage, praised the constancy of his 
soldiers, and promised to a£t conformably to their 
desires, since they were enirely consonant to his 
own ; adding, that he would go immediately, and 
make all necessary preparations for forming an 
establishment in the place where they then were, 
that thev might afterwards penetrate into the heart 
of the country. Upon this resolution an universal 

exclamation 



68 CORTEZ. 

exclamation of joy expressed the satisfaction of 

the soldiers. 

The last a6t of this comedy remained still to 
be performed. Cortez was in reality general, but 
he "held his authority solely at the pleasure of 
those he, commanded ; this same power, therefore, 
which the soldiers arrogated in declaring him a 
second time their chief, might, in other circum- 
stances, deprive him of his command. Such a 
possibility he sought to prevent, and the stra- 
tagem he made use of was this — he appointed a 
court of justice for the colony, composed of mem- 
bers whom he knew to be entirely devoted to his 
interest. This was scarcely established, and the 
new magistrates assembled, when Cortez appeared 
before them in the most respeilful manner, his 
ensign of command in his hand. After having re- 
quested leave to make a proposition, he addressed 
them nearly in these words — " From this mo- 
ment, gentlemen, I consider you as the represen- 
tative of our sovereign monarch ; your decrees, 
consequently, will to me be ever the most sacred 
laws. You, no doubt, feel how necessary it is 
that our army should be commanded bv a general, 
whose authority shall not depend on the inconstant 
will of the soldiery ; mine absolutely depends on 

this, 



CORTEZ. 6Q 

this, for, since the governor, Valasquez, revoked 
the commission with which he entrusted me, my 
pretensions to the command are doubtless disput- 
able. I hold myself obliged, therefore, gentlemen, 
to remit into your hands a power, which is 
founded upon so dubious a" right, and to entreat 
you, in the name of the King, and pursuant to the 
power with which you are now invested, to ap- 
point, as commander, the man who shall appear to 
you most worthy of this most important post; for 
myself, I am ready as a subaltern, with my lance 
in my hand, to give my companions an example 
of the obedience due to him you shall lawfully 
ele£t for their general." 

With these words, he respedtfullv presented his 
ensign of command to the president, and, laying his 
patent on the table, withdrew. 

The judges continued the farce he had begum 
They appeared to accept his dismission, feigned a 
long deliberation", proceeded at length to a new 
elediion, and Cortez was a second time unani- 
mously chosen commander. Upon this the troops 
were assembled ; and ihe members of the court an- 
nouncing to therrr the choice they had made, it was 
ratified by general approbation. — But before I suf- 
fer him to proceed on the most perilous enterprise 

that 



70 CQRTSZ. 

that was ever resolved on, let me hear whether 
you will give him your vote also. — On this you 
may reflect till to-morrow. 



DIALOGUE V. 



Jo 



OHN. Well, dear father, we have refle&ed. 

The Father. And what is the result? 

John. That Cortez shall remain general. 

The Father. But the poor Mexicans ? 

jfohn. Nothing can be done for them, father, 
how disposed soever we may be to favour them. 
We have considered that there are absolutely no 
means left of saving them, since the Spaniards 
have discovered that they possess such immense 
treasures; so that, should Cortez not subdue them, 
another wouid soon start up who might treat them 
with still greater inhumanity. 

The Father. Unhappy country ! thy fate is then 
decided; for Cortez,, resolved on thy destruction, 
leads into thy peaceful bosom six hundred famished 
wolves, before whom the innumerable troops of 
thy naked children will be no more than flocks of 
defenceless sheep ? 

The new court of justice gave to the place 
where they designed to form a colony, before they 

advanced 



CORTEX. 7 I 

advanced further into the country, the name of 
Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, which is, in English, 
The rich city of the true Cross. They denomi- 
nated this new town richl because it was there 
they became acquainted with the wealth of the 
Mexicans, by the superb presents they sent them, 
and because they hoped the treasures of this people 
Would speedily centre there. They added the true 
Cross , because the day they disembarked happened 
to be Good Friday, the anniversary of the cruci- 
fixion of Jesus Christ. This singular denomi- 
nation of the first European colony settled at 
Mexico, is a striking monument of the leading* 
passions which influenced the Spanish adventurers, 
viz, avartce and PvELIgioi s zeal ; they burnt 
equally with the desire of filling their purses with 
gold, and Heaven with Christians. Thus it is that 
superstition commonly unites ten estrial with celes- 
tial things, cruelty with apparent humanity, an in- 
dulgence of the most shameful appetites with pre- 
tended piety. Oh, that the happy " time may not 
be far distant, when all that we call superstition 
or fanaticism shall be rooted from the heart ! 

Nicholas. But, my dear father, 1 cannot exadtly 
comprehend the nature of superstition and fa- 
naticism. 

The 



72 CGRTEZ. 

The Father. Super stitian, my child, consists in 
believing of God, or of spiritual things, somewhat 
that is not founded on any rational principle, — the 
persuasion of which is, perhaps, hurtful to our- 
selves or to others ; for example, a belief in self- 
created phantoms, which have for existence no 
reasonable foundation, and which, in many cir- 
cumstances, produce only terror and uneasiness tc 
those who are impressed with it. Fanaticism, or 
religious enthusiasm, on the contrary, is that blind 
zeal, the object of which is to spread such super- 
stitious notions, and force all mankind to believe 
them"*". But to return 

Nic/iolas. Permit me, my dear father, before 
you begin,, to ask whether the city which the 
Spaniards built, is not the same spoken of in our 
geographv under die name of Vera Cruz ? 

The Father. No, Nicholas, you will soon find 
that Cortez himself thought proper to transport the 
colony to another part of the country, which ap- 
peared to be situated more commodious! y. Let us 
consult the map a little.— Here, where you find 
Old Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz written, was the 

place 

* The limits of the present work not permitting the 
Author to eiiter into further explanations on this im- 
portant subject, he entreats those parents and intelligent 
tutors who peruse this work with their pupils, to supply 
What he has left imperfect. 



CORTEZ. 73 

place where he had resolved to fix his colony ; but 
afterwards he removed eighteen miles more to the 
south, where you simply read Vera Cruz. New 
Vera Cruz is situated in a climate rendered disa- 
greeable and unwholesome by a burning sun, and 
by frequent storms. It is bounded on the north 
by dry sands, and on the west by infectious 
marshes. The harbour is formed by the small 
island of St. Juan de Ulua, which will not hold 
more than forty vessels at most, and they are not 
secure when northern winds blow. In addition to 
these disadvantages, the channels, two in number, 
are so narrow as to admit but one ship at a time, 
and their entrances are surrounded by shoals ; but 
in some measure, to make amends for natural de- 
fers, the island- has within these few years been 
so strongly fortified, as to be able to make a most 
obstinate resistance should an enemy attempt to 
invade it. It is computed, that one year with 
another, New Spain sends to the mother country, 
in gold, silver, and merchandize, to the value of 
between three and four millions. — But we will how 

return to our adventurers. 

The Spaniards prepared for their departure, 
and a lucky chance smoothed the way for them. 
Five Indians, sent as envoys from a certain Ca- 
cique whose dominions were not far distant, de- 
E manded 



74 CORTEX. 

manded an interview with the Spanish general, 
which being granted, Cortez, by means of his in- 
terpreters, gained the following agreeable informa- 
tion: — That the Cacique of Cempoalla, their 
master, having learnt the great actions the Spa- 
niards had performed at Tabasco, admired their 
valour, and in consequence was desirous of form- 
ing an alliance with them. 

From several questions which he* put to these 
envoys, he at length drew from them intelligence 
that gave him still farther satisfaction ; this was no 
other than that Montezuma, to whom the Cacique 
of Cempoalla was subordinate, was as much hated 
as feared by his vassals, on account of his pride 
and cruelty, — that they were weary of bearing his 
yoke, and waited only for an opportunity to throw- 
it off. Cortez could scarcely conceal the pleasure 
with which these tidings inspired him; he knew 
how easy it was to overturn the most powerful 
empire, when once discontents arise between the 
sovereign and the subjects, and he no longer 
doubted the success of an enterprise which he be- 
fore considered as extremely hazardous. 

The envoys were overwhelmed with civility, 
both on their own and on their master's account, 
and were sent back with the assurance that 
Cortez would soon pay him a visit. 

To 



CORTEZ. 75 

To fulfil this promise, and at the same time to 
have an opportunity of examining a certain dis- 
trict which had been represented to him as more 
commodious for a settlement, he began his march, 
accompanied by his whole army ; having ordered 
the fleet to sail along the coast till it reached the 
district spoken of. At the close of the first day 
they arrived at an Indian village, entirely forsaken 
by its inhabitants ; all the houses and temples were 
empty, except that in the latter were some idols, 
the bodies of several men that had been sacrificed, 
and some books, the first that they had found in 
America. 

Afat/iiaSr What, real books, father? 

The Father. Doubtless not such as ours ; but 
something that supplied the purpose of books. 
They were made of parchment, or skin prepared 
with gum, and folded in the form of leaves; dif- 
ferent sorts of figures and significant strokes sup- 
plied the place of letters, and it was supposed that 
their contents related to the abominable worship of 
the Mexican idols. 

The next day Cortez continued his march, but 
to his surprise found every place abandoned by its 
inhabitants ; not one appearing although he was 
on the territories of the Cacique of Cempoalla. — 
This appeared suspicious, but towards the evening 
E 2 twelve 



76 CORTEZ. 

twelve Indians arrived, laden with provisions, sent 
by the cacique, who requested the Spanish general 
to advance to his residence, which was not, the 
messengers said, more than a single sun's distance 
(meaning a day's march); and that there every 
thing would be ready for the reception both of him 
and his men. They were asked why the cacique 
himself did not come to meet the general ? — to 
which they replied, that he was prevented by a 
certain infirmity. Six of these Indians Cortez sent 
back with thanks to the cacique, and kept the rest 
as guides. The next day they came in si^ht of 
the city which was the residence of the cacique, — ■ 
it was situated in ^a pleasant fertile district, and ex- 
hibited a most beautiful appearance. Some of the 
soldiers who were in the foremost ranks ran back 
to announce with joyful acclamations that the 
walls of the city were all of silver ! 

The Children exclaim, Thac must indeed have 
been beautiful ! 

The Father. They were not in reality of silver; 
they were only plastered with a lime, so extremely 
white and shining, that the sun gave it a brilliancy 
thai was easily mistaken by people whose thoughts 
were day and night wholly bent on gold and silver. 
Upon entering the city, they found the streets and 
squares filled with a prodigious concourse ofl 

people, 



CORTEZ. 77 

people, whom curiosity had<lrawn from all parts; 
but they were unarmed,, and were far less tumul- 
tuous than might have been expected from their 
numbers* They now approached the abode of 
the cacique, and his Indian highness at length ap-» 
peared; when it was immediately understood in 
what the infirmity, which prevented his advancing 
to meet His guests consisted,— for his bulk was so 
enormous, that it was with the utmost difficulty, 
even with the assistance of some of his officers 
who dragged him forward, that he removed from 
the place where he was. This unweildy size, to- 
gether with his incapacity of moving or assisting 
himself in the most trifling instance, produced such 
an effect upon the Spanish soldiers, that it was 
with difficulty Cortez prevented them from burst- 
ing into a loud laugh, or indeed that he restrained 
himself within the bounds of gravity. As to his 
appearance in other respe£ls, he was magnificently 
attired in a cotton cloak entirely covered with 
precious stones, and his nose and ears were 
pierced and ornamented with jewels. His recep- 
tion of Cortez by no means agreed with his whim- 
sical figure; his discourse was on the contrary 
extremely polite and intelligent, and he concluded 
with requesting his guests to come to his dwelling, 
diat they might converse more at ease and without 
E 3 interruption 



/£ CORTEX. 

interruption on their common interests. The re- 
maining part of the day was passed in repose from 
their fatigues, and in regaling upon the various 
fruits of the country that were furnished in 
abundance. 

Cortez, in this interview with the cacique, gave 
him to understand that he had been sent by the 
great Emperor of the East to destroy oppression, 
and put an end to tyranny in that part of the 
world. This explanation encouraged the cacique 
to break forth into bitter complaints against the 
pride and injustice of Montezuma, whom he de- 
nominated a haughty and cruel tyrant, whose yoke 
had long been insupportable, not only to him but 
to all his other vassals. During this discourse his 
sensations appeared so lively that he shed tears. 

Cortez endeavoured to comfort him, and gave 
him assurances of his protection ; adding, that the 
power of the tyrant was the least of his uneasiness, 
since he knew it could not surpass his own. which 
had the support of Heaven itself. 

The next day, Cortez with his whole army 
began his march to Quiabislan, the country ill 
which he had resolved to fix his establishment. 
Having crossed the most fertile plains and beau- 
tiful forests, after a short day's march they came 
in sight of the city of Quiabislan ? situated on an 

eminence 



CORTEZ. t§ 

eminence and surrounded with rocks The inha- 
bitants had fled ; but on arriving at the great square, 
about fifteen Indians advanced from a temple to 
salute the Spaniards, and assure them that their 
chiefs and all the inhabitants would return without 
delay, upon condition that he would promise to do 
them no injury. Cortez having given them the 
most sacred assurances, in a few minutes the ca- 
cique returned, followed by all the inhabitants, 
who had concealed themselves, from terror. Cortez 
perceived with pleasure that he was accompanied 
by the Cacique of Cempoalla, who as well as 
himself was borne on a litter. 

Scarcely had the interview commenced when 
both broke into the most bitter inve&ives against 
the tyranny of Montezuma; and Cortez, who 
listened to these reiterated complaints with new 
pleasure, consoled them with assurances of his 
powerful protection. 

In the midst of the conference several Indians 
entered, apparently in confusion, and whispered 
something in the ear of the two caciques, which 
threw them into such consternation, rhat they re- 
tired in visible alarm. Cortez followed to learn 
the cause, and soon found that it proceeded from 
the arrival of six of Montezuma's officers, su- 
perbly clad, and attended by a considerable train 
E4 of 



80 CORTEZ. 

of slaves, bearing parasols of feathers over their 
heads. 

In passing Cortez and his officers, the chiefs 
from Montezuma glanced on them a look of such 
contempt, that k was with difficulty the soldiers 
were restrained from falling upon them. 

Marian, who had been sent to obtain inform- 
ation, returned soon after with tidings that the 
Mexican officers had summoned the two caciques 
to appear before them, and had severely re- 
proached them with having carried their perfidy $o 
far as even to receive strangers, the decla-^d ene- 
mies of their monarch ; that as a punishment for 
this treasonable correspondence, they were com- 
manded, besides their ordinary tribute, to deliver 
twenty fndians more for a sacrifice to the offended 
divinities, 

Cortez was incensed beyond measure at this 
information, but prudence urged him to restrain 
his resentment. He contented himself therefore 
with sending for the caciques, and exhorting them 
not to execute the sanguinary commands of the 
tyrant, but on the contrary to arrest the bearers of 
so bloody a mandate, telling them that he would 
take the whole blame of the proceeding on him- 
self. The caciques, accustomed to an implicit 
obedience to the orders of their sovereign, hesitated; 

but 



CORTEX. 81 

but Cortez, without giving them time for reflec- 
tion, repeated his exhortation, or rather his com- 
mands, in so energetic a manner, that they had 
no longer courage to obje£t, and the officers were 
accordingly arrested, without the Spaniards ap- 
pearing to have any hand in the affair. The ca- 
ciques once inflamed were for proceeding still fur- 
ther, and sacrificing the officers they had arrested : 
in the place of those Montezuma had demanded; 
but Cortez opposed this barbarity with the greatest 
horror, and ordered the officers to be guarded by 
his own men. 

He was desirous, if possible, to avoid coming 
to open hostilities with the powerful Montezuma, 
and with this view resolved to have recourse to a 
stratagem which should induce him to believe, 
that so far from being concerned in what had 
happened to his people, he was in reality an in- 
tercessor for them. Accordingly, during the 
night, he caused two of the prisoners to bef brought, 
before him, gave them their liberty, and ordered 
them to tell their master that he would endeavour 
to procure the release of their companions; after 
which he let them go. With respe£l to the In* 
dians, his allies, the next day he made them believe 
that their prisoners had escaped from the guards 
during the nigh U 

e 5 m 



82 CORTEZ. 

The Mother, How mean and despicable was 
this ! 

The Father. It was, indeed. It is probable 
Cortez would not have aefbed thus artfully, had he 
not been blinded by the gross error, that it is per- 
mitted to employ every means, even the most un- 
just, for the propagation of the Christian religion. 
He, in the mean while, found still other caciques, 
o'^the neighbouring mountains animated with 
equal hatred against their emperor, and with the 
same desire of throwing off the yoke of his ty- 
rannic power. 

These chiefs of different Indian tribes, all bear- 
ing tire general name of Totonaques, entered into 
a formal alliance with Cortez, renouncing the 
authority of Montezuma, and paying homage to 
the King of Spain as their only sovereign. 

They now turned their attention to the found- 
ing of a Spanish colony on a spot between Quia- 
bislan and the sea ; which, on account of the fer- 
tility of its soil, its towering forests, and vicinity to 
the sea, appeared eligible for an establishment. It 
was named Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz; but now 
it is commonly by abbreviation called La Vera 
Cruz. 

Once more, before we proceed, take a view of 
it on the Map, to impress the situation on your 

memories. 



CORTEZ. S3 

memories. The Spaniards were universally 
obliged to assist in the work, and to labour at the 
constru&ion of the walls and buildings of the new 
town. No one was exempt ; Cortez himself was 
at the head of the workmen, and animated all 
by his example. By these means the works ad- 
vanced with incredible rapidity ; so that in a short 
time the place was enclosed, and sufficiently 
strong to resist all the warlike machines of the 
Indians, 

In the interval the two liberated Indians had 
arrived at the capital, and represented to Monte- 
zuma, in glowing colours, the good offices which 
(as they believed) Cortez had done them. This 
information somewhat appeased the rage of the 
monarch, who, in the first heat of his resentment, 
had given orders for a powerful army instantly to 
march and exterminate, by fire and sword, both 
the strangers and the Indians their adherents. Fear 
now again swayed the balance in his mind, and 
he resolved once more to try, by gentle means, 
quietly to rid himself of these troublesome and 
formidable intruders. A new embassy was dis- 
patched, with presents of immense value, and the 
care of them given to two princes, relations of the 
Emperor. They arrived at the camp just as the 
fortifications of the new town were completed, 

and, 



84 CORTEZ. 

and, having remitted the presents they brought, 
thanked the general for the assistance he had given 
the Mexican officers; and concluded, by request- 
ing that he would depart from the dominions of 
their Emperor. 

Cortez treated the ambassadors with the 
highest respefl ; and, before he gave any answer, 
caused the four prisoners to be brought and set at 
liberty. Then, by his interpreter Marian, he re- 
plied, " that he was sorry the Caciques, his allies, 
had displeased the Emperor, by the imprisonment 
of his officers ; but that he must, of necessity, con- 
fess that they had drawn the disgrace upon them- 
selves by an inhuman demand, w T hich he judged 
must have been made without the knowledge of 
the Emperor, That it was his duty to declare to 
them, that the Christian religion held this barba- 
rous custom of sacrificing human creatures in so 
great an abomination, that he felt it incumbent on 
him to use his endeavours to abolish it. — With 
respe£t to the Emperor, he had repaired the affront 
that had been given him, by restoring the pri- 
soners ; and that, as it was his duty to embrace 
the interest of his allies, he flattered himself that at 
his request he would pardon the Caciques of Cem- 
poalla and Quiabislan, as he could do no les? than 
take these vassals of the Emperor under his pro* 

tsdiiouj 



CORTEX. 85 

te£tion, they having, to the utmost of their power, 
endeavoured, by an amicable and hospitable re- 
ception, to obliterate the gross affronts he had 
experienced from Teutile. — To conclude, for 
what related to his departure, he had before had 
the honour of informing the Emperor, that a com- 
mission of the last importance imposed on him the 
obligation of not returning to his country till he 
had an interview with him, and that no dangers 
could deter the Spanish warriors from executing 
the commands of their Sovereign/' 

The Indian ambassadors were struck with 
astonishment at the air of indifference and majesty 
with which Cortez delivered this address. They 
returned full of admiration at his courageous re- 
solution, and, inspired with secret contempt for 
their own Sovereign, to whom they delivered an 
exa6t account of all they had heard and seen. 

The new Spanish city was now in a state of 
defence, and Coitez prepared to march to the ca- 
pital as he had purposed. Fortune seemed de- 
cidedly to declare in his favour ; but his incon- 
siderate zeal for religion nearly destroyed all. 
News was brought, that in a temple of the ca- 
ciques, in alliance with him, preparations were 
making for a human sacrifice. Incensed at the 
barbarous superstition committed under his eye, 

he 



85 CORTEX. 

he immediately repaired to the temple, followed 
by some of his men, armed, and threatened to 
destroy all with fire and sword if they did not that 
instant set the unfortunate vi&ims at liberty. 

Charlotte, In this, however, Papa, he did 
right. 

The Father. Thus far he certainly did. But 
his zeal was not yet satisfied ; he insisted, like- 
wise, that the priests should destroy their idols, 
and for ever renounce their impious religion, al- 
though they were yet unacquainted with a better. 
In this, I think, you will agree with me, that he 
a6led injudiciously. 

Charlotte, Certainly. 

The Father. The priests fell at his feet with 
cries and groans ; and the cacique, trembling with 
apprehension, in vain interfered/ As they refused 
to destroy these horrible idols, he ordered his sol- 
diers to do it by force, The priests now called to 
arms, and in a few moments Cortez and his little 
band were surrounded by such a prodigious mul- 
titude of Indians, that -it was sufficient to damp the 
most resolute ; but he, without betraying the least 
emotion, and with an air capable of inspiring ter- 
ror, proclaimed aloud to the assembled multitude, 
that the first arrow they should presume to draw 
should cost the cacique his life, and involve the 

whole 



CORTEZ. 87 

whole nation in ruin. Marian interpreted these 
words in the language of the country, and the sol- 
diers ran to execute the orders of their general.-— 
In an instant the largest and most deformed of the 
idols was rolled from the top to the bottom ot the 
steps ; the others, with the altars and sacred vases, 
followed — every thing was devoted to destruction. 
The temple was then cleared, and washed from the 
stains of human blood, with which the walls were 
polluted, and an image of the Virgin substituted in 
the place of the idols. The astonished and terri- 
fied Indians expected to behold fire fall from hea- 
ven to revenge this profanation ; but not perceiv- 
ing a single spark descend, and the presumptuous 
destroyers of the temple continuing before them 
safe and in triumph, doubts arose in their minds ; 
they began to reflect, and the end of their reflec- 
tion was a belief, that the Spaniards also possessed 
a degree of divinity, which must be superior to 
that of their idols, This idea operated so power- 
fully, that, without further deliberation, they ar- 
ranged themselves on the side of Cortez , and, 
collecting the remains of the very images which 
had before appeared so sacred, they threw them, 
with the utmost contempt, into the flames. The 
temple was immediately convened into a Christian 
chapel, and that very day, in presence of nume- 
rous 



88 €ORTE%. 

rous Indians, divine service, according to the Ro- 
man manner, was performed ; a ceremony which 
was beheld with admiration by the Indians, though 
it w 7 as incomprehensible to them. 

Nicholas. You said yesterday, father, that we 
could not comprehend why the Almighty permitted 
the downfal of the Empire of Mexico. 

The Father. I did so, Nicholas. 

Nicholas. But it is now easy to discover the 
reason. { 

The Father. How so ? 

Nicholas. Why, father, the religion of the 
Mexicans being so abominable as to require the 
sacrifice of men, it is probable that God was 
pleased to abolish it, and for that reason permitted 
the whole empire to be subdued by the Spa- 
niards. 

The Father. Your argument, dear Nicholas, 
appears to be reasonable ; but, without doubt, 
Divine Providence had other views, which are at 
present unknown to us. Perhaps ages may elapse 
before they are explained; nay, it is perhaps in 
eternity alone they will be revealed. If the cause 
therefore you have assigned* Nicholas, be not 
sufficient, let us patiently await this distant deve- 
lopement, pre-assured that theAlmighty in this, as 

ia 



CORTEZ* 8Q 

in every other instance, is aftuated by wise and 
merciful motives. 

Scarcely had Cortez escaped the dangers into 
which his precipitate zeal for religion had driven 
him, when another storm gathered over his head, 
and threatened to burst with equal violence. 
Among the soldiers and mariners were some who, 
weary with the many fatigues they had endured, 
and alarmed at the prospect of che perils they 
must necessarily meet before they could reach the 
capital, had entered into a conspiracy against their 
commander. Their design was to seize one of the 
vessels, sail for Cuba, and carry tidings of Cortez 
to the enraged governor. 

Fortunately this plot was discovered before 
it was carried into execution. Cortez caused the 
principal conspirator to be arrested, and punished 
as he deserved ; but he, at the same time, saw 
clearly that the sedition in his little army was not 
by this means effe&ually quelled; he feared it 
might again break forth, and this was to be pre- 
vented. Having revolved various measures in his 
mind, he at length fixed on a plan, certain it is 
true, but at the same time so hazardous, that a 
soul, less daring than his own, would have shrunk 
from it with terror. I should wish you, my children, 
to exercise your minds by guessing at the means 

he 



QO CORTEZ. 

he adopted, but that I am convinced you would 
in vain rack your invention ; for, although you 
have, on several occasions, seen Cortez a£t boldly 
and courageously, it is difficult to conceive that he 
-would, after mature reflection, stop at nothing less, 
than depriving himself and his whole suit of all 
possible hope of returning to Europe, and reducing 
himself and his people to the necessity of destroy- 
ing the Empire of Mexico, or of paying the for- 
feit with their lives. Yet this was absolutely the 
projedl which he devised. He determined entirely 
to destroy his whole fleet, for the purpose of con- 
vincing even the most cowardly in his army, that, 
the means of flight being totally cut ofF, death or 
victory alone remained. 

But, if courage was necessary to conceive 
such a projedl, equal address was requisite to ren-. 
der the execution of it approved by the army. 
Fortunately Cortez possessed, in an equal degree, 
these two qualities of an elevated genius ; hence 
what his courage had resolved, his prudence in the 
end happily accomplished. He began by causing 
the vessels to be unrigged. 

Frederic What does that mean, father ? 

The Father. Simply, that he ordered them to 
be cleared of the cordage and masts ; the cannon, 
and every thing that could be carried out ofthem» 

was 



CORTEZ. 91 

was brought on shore. The carpenters then ex- 
amined the hull of each vessel, and declared that 
they were so much damaged, that they looked 
upon it as impossible to repair them* Cortez now 
appeared, and by his eloquence inflamed the sol- 
diers with such a military ardour, that they ran, 
as if urged on by a natural impulse, to destroy the 
vessels, their only resource, in case of a failure in 
their expedition ; dragging on shore the planks, 
beams, and every thing that remained. 

One vessel only was kept entire, and for the 
following purposes — Cortez had, it is true, been 
confirmed in his dignity of general by the courts of 
justice he had established ; but, in reality, this sig- 
nified little more than that he had conferred on 
himself that dignity. He was desirous, therefore, 
of having his right to the command established 
upon a more certain foundation, and with this 
view resolved to dispatch a vessel dire6lly for 
Spain, to impress that court with a favourable 
opinion of the steps he had taken ; to engage the 
King and Queen to render him independent of Va-» 
lasquez, and declare him governor of tbe country 
he was attempting to conquer. The certain means 
of succeeding, he well knew, was to send the go- 
vernment of Spain a considerable specimen of the 
treasures to be expected from the conquest of 

? Mexico : 



Q% conrm* 

Mexico ; but this specimen could not be rendered 
of importance, without appropriating the presents 
that had been received from Montezuma, and in 
this case, the consent of the soldiers, officers, and 
sailors, must be obtained, as it was necessary for 
each to forego his part. This was exa&ing a 
severe sacrifice ; but Cortez, nevertheless, at- 
tempted it, and succeeded. Every one resigned 
the portion that had been allotted him, ambitious 
of shedding his blood, and even risking his life, 
amid a thousand fatigues and dangers ; a circum- 
stance which, when we consider the avarice of 
these rapacious men, is difficult to be paralleled in 
history, and at the same time proves the great 
ascendency Cortez had over the minds of his sol- 
diers. He at length prepared to depart with his 
whole army, which was composed of five hun- 
dred foot, fifteen horsemen, and six field pieces. 
The remainder consisted only of about fifty men, 
nearly all invalids, and two horsemen, which were 
left to protect the garrison of Vera Cruz. The 
cacique allies offered their forces for auxiliary 
troops, but Cortez accepted only of four hundred 
men, with two hundred tamenes (or carriers) to 
bear the necessary burdens, and provisions for the 
army ; for in that country, where neither horses 
nor any other beasts of burden were known, a 

certain 



CORTEZ. Q3 

certain class of men, who bore the above-men- 
tioned name, was employed to transport the ne- 
cessary articles from one place to another. For 
the security of the Spaniards left in the garrison, 
Cortez made choice of fifty of the most consider- 
able inhabitants of the country, who, without be- 
ing sensible of their situation, served as hostages. 

Charlotte. Hostages ? 

The Father. Yes, Charlotte, those are called so 
whom we detain, in order to oblige their coun- 
trymen to condudt themselves in the manner we 
desire, or to fulfil their engagements. Thus is the 
grand expedition against Mexico begun, and to- 
morrow we will follow the route of our bold ad- 
venturers ; — at present my lungs require a little 
respite. 



DIALOGUE VI. 



JL HE Father. The day on which Cortez with 
his little army departed for Cempoalla, was the 
Ifjth of August, 1519. Nothing of importance 
happened during the first day's march. The 
countries through which they passed appertained 
to the allies of the Cempoallians, and consequently 

to 



Q4 CORTEZ. 

to their own; they were, therefore, amicably re- 
ceived, and famished with a sufficient quantity of 
provisions. In this manner they arrived on the 
frontiers of Tlascala. But let us examine the 
map, to observe the situation of this country. The 
territory of Tlascala was about fifty miles in 
circumference; the chain of mountains which 
crosses it is considered as a ridge of the highest in 
the world, and extends the whole length of South 
America, The Spaniards call these mountains 
the 

Peter. Cordilleras. 

John. And the French the Cordilieres. 

The Father. They are also named in French 
the Cordilieres des Andes; hence they are often 
simply called in German the Andes. The Eng- 
lish use both names. 

The inhabitants of these mountains are evi- 
dently distinguished from all the other natives of 
America by their extraordinary courage and ex- 
cessive love of liberty. They had shaken off the 
yoke of the Mexicans, and had formed themselves 
into a republic, which had hitherto proved invin- 
cible. Every district in this warlike country 
had its deputies or representatives, who in the 
name of their peculiar province or town answered 
for the resc in Tlascala, the capital city; and the 

assembly 



CQRTE2. Q5 

assembly of these deputies composed the superior 
council and legislative power of the whole nation. 
The form of their government, therefore, was 
Aristocratic. Do you comprehend the meaning 
of this term, Nicholas? 

Nicholas. Oh, yes, father. The sovereign 
power was lodged in the hands of the principal 
inhabitants. 

Tkz Father. You are right. Tlascala appears 
to have been the only instance of a perfect Aris- 
tocracy among a people, who, on account of their 
uncivilised manners, must still be reckoned savages. 
Pride and the love of liberty, courage and an ar- 
dent desire of vengeance, formed the principal 
features in the character of this small but formi- 
dable nation, in vain had Montezuma endea- 
voured to subdue them ; and equally in vain had 
ambitious projectors among their own people 
risen, and attempted to eledt themselves into ty- 
rants. The Tlascalans resisted usurpation of 
every kind, and preserved to themselves the pos- 
session of that most precious of all human bless- 
ings — Liberty. 

Cortez was naturally desirous of reckoning so 
estimable and warlike a nation among the number 
of his allies. No sooner, therefore, did he arrive 
on the frontiers of Tlascala, than he resolved to 

send 



tj6 CQRTEZ. 

send to them an embassy cf peace in the Indian 
manner, with all the accustomed ceremonies. 

Mathlas. In what did these ceremonies consist, 
father ? 

The Father. I will describe them. Four of 
the principal Cempoallians were chosen for the 
embassy, and Marian took upon herself the care 
of composing an oration, which they were to learn 
by rote. They were then dressed in long cotton 
cloaks ; on the left arm they bore a large shell in- 
stead of a buckler, and in their right hand held an 
arrow ornamented with white feathers, the point 
of which was bent downwards. This signified 
their intention to be pacific ; on the contrary, an 
arrow decorated with red feathers signified war. 
Thus attired they departed, perfe&ly free from ap- 
prehension, convinced that no injury would be 
done them. But one thing was still necessary for 
their security, and this was, to keep the high road, 
it being there only that the pacific ornaments of 
the embassy guaranteed them from insult. The 
Indians confirmed this custom by a denomination, 
which in our language is equal to the rights of the 
•people. 

Upon the arrival of these four envoys at Tlas- 
cala, they were conducted and entertained in a 
manner agreeable to the nature of their embassy, 

and 



CORTEZ. Q7 

and the next day were summoned before the su- 
perior council assembled to hear their propositions. 
All the members were seated, according to their 
age, upon blocks of a certain rare wood. The 
envoys entered with marks of the most prqfound 
respe£t, that is to say, with their heads covered 
with their cloaks, and holding up the pacific ar- 
row. The members of the council half rose, to 
receive them; when the envoys made a particular 
reverence after the manner of the country to each, 
then advanced slowly to the middle of the hall, 
prostrated themselves, and waited in respedtful si- 
lence for permission to speak. This being 
granted, they seated themselves cross-legged on 
the ground, and those among them who had learnt 
the oration by rote delivered it in these terms: — 

" Noble and free States! Powerful and cou- 
rageous People ! your friends and allies, the Ca- 
cique cf Cempoalla and the Caciques of the 
mountains, salute you, and wish you a plentiful 
harvest, and the destruction of your enemies! — 
They also apprise you that a people of celestial 
origin, from the east, are lately come among 
them, arrived by sea in large palaces, and armed 
with the thunder and lightning of the gods. They 
inform us, that they are worshippers of a God, far 
more powerful than ours, who will endure neither 
F tyranny 



;§S CORTEZ. 

tyranny nor human vi6tims. Their chief is sent 
by a very potent monarch, who, from a principle 
of religion, is desirous of putting an end to the 
abuses and violence which Montezuma has occa- 
sioned among us. This said chief has already 
delivered us from the oppression under which we 
languished ; he now finds it necessary to cross 
your territory in his way to Mexico, and is de- 
sirous of knowing what are your complaints 
against the tyrant, that he may at the same time 
defend your rights and his own, and number 
them among the other motives of his journey. His 
intentions towards you are consequently amicable, 
and all he asks in return is the liberty of a free 
passage through your dominions. Be assured, 
therefore, that he has your interest only in view; 
that his arms are but the instruments of justice, and 
that they who bear them are naturally pacific, and 
have recourse to rigour only when first attacked or 
offended." 

This harangue being concluded, the ambas- 
sadors again fell on their knees, and in that pos- 
ture made a profound bow; after which resuming 
their former position, they awaited the reply in 
silence. The members of the council answered, 
that they returned them thanks for the intelligence 
they had brought, that they should. take the matter 

into 



cortez. gg 

into consideration, and then give their answer in 
form; after which the ambassadors withdrew, and 
the deliberation began. The council was divided 
into two opinions ; the one for peace, and the other 
for war. At the head of the last was Xicotencatl, 
a young chief of an ardent and courageous spirit, 
but too prone to unsheath the sword of war. His 
party by degrees gained the ascendant, and it was 
resolved that they should detain the ambassadors 
under various pretexts, with the view of gaining 
time, and putting themselves in a state of defence. 
Eight days passed in this manner, and Cortez and 
his allies began to suspe6l the cause of the delay ; 
they were in consequence resolved to advance, in 
order to learn what was become of their ambas- 
sadors, and to know the sentirhents of the Tlas- 
calans concerning their propositions* They had 
not proceeded far before they met a body of the 
natives, armed, who boldly opposed their passage. 
An engagement therefore commenced, which 
caused the Indians much bloodshed, while the 
Spaniards, defended by their cotton cuirasses, had 
only a few of their people slightly wounded, al- 
though the number of their enemies more than tea 
times exceeded their own. But what could cou- 
rage alone, without order and good weapons, effedt, 
against the ta6tics of the Europeans, and the des- 
F 2 trudive 



100 CORTEZ. 

tru&ive power of their fire-arms ? After this first 
victory, Cortez penetrated into the country, and 
the next day had the pleasure of seeing two of his 
envoys arrive, accompanied by some Tlascalans, 
who threw the blame of the event that had oc- 
curred the preceding evening on one of their allies, 
a people called .Otomies, who, unknown to the 
Tlascalans, had^commenced hostilities, and who, 
as they deserved, had been punished by the loss of 
their bravest chiefs. Having made this short ex- 
cuse, they returned without any clearer explana- 
tion of their sentiments. But the key to this mys- 
terious conduct was soon obtained; for the Spa- 
niards, continuing their march towards Tlascala, 
were met the day following by the other two en- 
voys in a most deplorable state. They fell at the 
feet of Cortez in tears, embraced his knees, and 
complained, with the most expressive gestures, 
that the perfidious Tlascalans, regardless of the 
sacred rights of nations, had loaded them with 
chains, in order to sacrifice them to their gods, 
but that during the night they had found means to 
escape. To this they added, that the Tlascalans 
had destined the whole Spanish army to be immo- 
lated to their gods. 

Cortez now knew what he had to rely on, 
and resolved courageously to face the danger how- 
great 



CORTEZ. 101 

great soever. With this design he proceeded on 
his march, and soon found himself surrounded by 
an innumerable body of Tlascalans with their 
allies, headed by the warlike Xicotencatl, who 
commanded in chief. The engagement soon 
commenced, and proved one of the most bloody. 
While it continued, an event in itself of small im- 
portance was near causing the total overthrow of 
the Spanish army. 

A cavalier of that nation pierced the thick 
battalions of the enemy with such ardour, that he 
was entirely separated from his own people, and 
every where surrounded. He received several 
wounds, and his horse being at length killed, his 
rider also fell dead on the ground. The Indians 
immediately cut off the horse's head, stuck it on 
the point of a lance, and carried it in triumph 
throughout their army, to shew every one that the 
monster was not, as they thought, invincible. 

This incident inspired the Indians with such 
courage, that they fought with an intrepidity the 
Spaniards were unable to resist. The dreadful 
moment of an entire defeat seemed rapidly ap- 
proaching, when to the great astonishment of the 
Spaniards, who began to give way, the war whoop, 
or cry of war, and all hostilities on a sudden 
ceased; the horns of the enemy sounding a retreat 
F 3 were 



102 CQRTEZ. 

were heard* and their numerous army, from in- 
comprehensible reasons, left the field in silence. 

Tkeophilus. How extraordinary ! — What could 
be the cause ? 

The Father. It was afterwards known from 
some prisoners that their principal chiefs had beea 
slain, and that their places could not be immedi- 
ately supplied ; add to which, they considered the 
horse's head as a sufficient mark of their vi£tory. 
Xicotencatl carried it from the field with his own 
hand, and afterwards sent it to the supreme 
council. 

Cortez chose an advantageous post, in which 
he fortified himself, and, resolving if possible to 
bring the Tlascalans to an amicable treaty, sent 
some of the prisoners to their general, with the 
commission of exhorting him to peace ; at the 
same time threatening him with the most severe 
vengeance should he continue to resist his overtures, 
This proposition threw Xicotencatl into such 
a fury, that he caused those who made it to be 
treated in the most cruel manner, and sent them 
back to the Spanish camp, covered with wounds, 
to announce to their general that the next morning 
at day-break he should appear with an innu- 
merable army, in order to take him and all his 

people 



C0RTE2?. 103 

people prisoners, and as an oblation that he. should 
sacrifice them to his gods. 

This news was not very consolatory; but it 
was accompanied with a present that in some mea- 
sure softened its asperity,— for Xicotencatl at the 
same time sent them three hundred Indian fowls, 
and a quantity of other provisions, that his enemies 
might feast before he sacrificed them. 

jMathias. What could he mean by this ? 

The Father. That their flesh, of whictb he 
designed to make a great entertainment, might 
have the better flavour. The Spaniards could only 
laugh at this rhodomontade, and regale themselves 
with what he had sent them, that they might re- 
new their strength for the engagement that was to 
take place the succeeding day. Xicotencatl faith- 
fully kept his word ; at break of day he appeared 
with a very formidable army, and the engagement 
began with uncommon fury on both sides. Success 
appeared long doubtful ; but at lengtlrthe military 
science of the Europeans prevailed, no with- 
standing the numbers and obstinate courage of be 
enemy. The Tlascalans retreated, and the pa*» 
niards remained masters of the field of battle ; but 
this third defeat was not sufficient entirely to sub- 
due the courage of this warlike nation. 'Tis true 
they were now persuaded that the Europeans werfe 
F 4 sorcerers. 



104 CORTEZ. 

sorcerers, who could not be overcome by ordinary 
means ; but they still hoped that the art of their 
own magicians would be able to counteract the 
spells of their enemies. 

Charlotte. Had they then, magicians among 
them, Papa? 

The Father. They had priests, who deceived 
the people by making them believe, by different 
sorts of illusions, that they could look into futurity, 
and perform many things surpassing human 
power. These were consulted, and the opinion 
they delivered was this ; — that the Spaniards were 
the children of the Sun, — that while day continued, 
fortified by his rays, they were invincible, — but 
that during night, when the Sun withdrew his 
paternal influence, their supernatural strength de- 
cayed, and they fell into the state of weakness 
common to other men. 

The superstitious Tlascalans, fully persuaded 
of the truth of this assurance, hastened to avail 
themselves of so important a discovery by a noc- 
turnal attack ; but Cortez was too prudent and too 
w r atchful to be caught in the snares of such an 
enemy. He had so prudently disposed his senti- 
nels and advanced posts, that he was informed of 
the threatened danger in time to take the necessary 
measures for his defence. When the Tiasc&lans 

therefore 



CORTEZ. 105 

therefore advanced, they found the Spaniards al- 
ready under arms ; and although their attack *was 
extremely obstinate and fierce, they were never- 
theless repulsed with great loss. 

When the poor Indians found that even their 
magic could effe£r. nothing against these enemies, 
it became a decided point that the Spaniards were 
more than men ; for how otherwise could it be 
accounted for, that in every engagement where 
the Tlascalans had fallen by thousands, not one 
of the strangers had been slain ? The difficulty 
was, to determine whether they were beneficent 
or noxious beings, and this appeared an insolvable 
enigma. 

In this state of incertitude the first step 
they took was to sacrifice to their gods some of 
the magicians who had deceived them. They then 
sent a solemn embassy to demand peace. 

The ambassadors, who were composed of the 
principal men of the nation, approached the Spa- 
nish camp in their ceremonial habits, ornamented 
with white plumes, the symbol of peace, and from 
afar gave the accustomed marks of the most pro- 
found respect. They stopped several times, touched 
the ground with their hand, and then carried it to 
their lips. This ceremony was repeated till they 
came within the lines of the Spanish camp, which 
F 5 they 



1g6 cortez. 

they took great care to fumigate, when they once 
more testified thek respedt in the manner I have 
described. 

Cortez received them with affe&ed dignity, in 
order to impose on them still more by his majestic 
air, after which he commanded them to speak. 
They obeyed; and historians have transmitted to 
us the following singular address. " If you are 
evil deities, at enmity with us, we bring you five 
slaves, whose blood you may drink, and whose 
flesh you may devour ; if, on the contrary, you 
-are beneficent beings, receive an offering of in- 
cense, and divers coloured plumes ; but if you are 
men, accept meat and bread to nourish you." — 
They added, that they were corns to implore par- 
don for the hostilities their countrymen had com- 
mitted, and at the same time to ask for peace 
Cortez, upon this, with assumed haughtiness and 
dignity, reproached them severely with having so 
obstinately rejedled hifr pacific overtures ; but 
added, that he was, notwithstanding, willing to 
forget the past, if they were content to remain 
quiet, and give him satisfa&ion for the injuries 
he had received. With this reply he left them. 

No sooner had this answer reached Tlascala, 
than the council published a general order to all 
those inhabiting the environs, to supply the camg 

of 



CORTEX. 307 

of these extraordinary strangers with provisions^ 
stri&ly prohibiting their receiving any thing in 
payment; an order which was executed witli a 
dispatch and punctuality that astonished the Spa*, 
niards. 

Two days after this, a grand procession from. 
Tlascala arrived at the camp. The dress of those, 
who composed it, demonstrated it was a second 
embassy of peace ; and Cortez gave orders that it 
should be admitted without, the least mark of. 
mistrust. 

At the head, of this embassy was the brave. 
Xicotencatl; his suite was composed of fifty of the, 
principal arien of the nation, magnificently attired^ 
and, he himself wore a long white garment,; tucked 
up in the military fashion, and ornamented with 
feathers and precious stones. With respedl" to his 
person, it was tall, erecfi, and muscular, and his 
whole deportment announced an elevated soul,, 
and personal courage. 

After having saluted the general respectfully,, 
according to the manner of his country, without 
having asked any previous permission, he seated 
himself, and in a manly voice told him, that he. 
alone had been the cause of the hostilities that had 
been committed, from the persuasion that the Spa- 
niards were ot his enemy Montezuma's party ; 

tbst 



108 CORTEX. 

that for this reason he voluntarily delivered him- 
self into the hands of his conqueror, in the hope, 
by these means, of obtaining pardon for the state, 
which was really guiltless of what had been done, 
and of procuring for it the peace which he was 
ordered to solicit in the name of the council, the 
chiefs, and the people ; that the city of Tlascala 
was ready to receive him and his whole army, and 
to treat with them amicably. 

Cortez was so pleased with the generosity and 
noble frankness of this young warrior, that he 
could not avoid testifying his esteem for him ; 
though he at the same time did not fail to re- 
proach him severely with his criminal resistance. 
He, however, concluded with an assurance, that, 
conformably to their invitation he would in a few 
days visit Tlascala. In the interim a new em- 
bassy arrived from Montezuma, with fresh pre- 
sents, but new expostulations touching the design 
which Cortez expressed of proceeding to Mexico. 
The grand point of the commission appeared to be 
the preventing of the Spaniards forming an alli- 
ance with the Tlascalans. With this view the 
ambassadors drew an alarming picture of the per- 
fidy of that nation ; but Cortez, with perfect in- 
difference, replied, that he as little feared secret 
stratagems as open hostilities. During this time, 

the 



CORTEZ. 109 

the Tlascalans were under apprehensions lest, as 
Cortez had not first visited their city, the ambas- 
sadors of Montezuma had succeeded in inspiring 
him with suspicions concerning them. Totally 
therefore to erase every idea of distrust, they re- 
solved that all the members of the supreme council 
should be sent to the camp, and offer themselves as 
hostages. This was accordingly done with the 
greatest pomp; each member was clothed in a 
white robe, the emblem of peace, and carried by- 
inferior officers in a kind of litter. The most 
considerable of this august body was Xicotencatl, 
the father of the young chief who bore his name, 
a venerable old man, who, though become blind 
with age, still retained his understanding in full 
vigour. He caused himself to be brought near 
Cortez, embraced him with a noble frankness, and 
that he might, by his touch, form an idea of his 
person, felt his face, and the different parts of his 
body; he then addressed him in a speech so ener* 
getic and beautiful, that it merits being preserved 
as a model of manly eloquence. According to the 
Spanish historians it was conceived in these terms • 
" Generous chief! whether or not thou art of 
immortal race, the supreme council of Tlascala, 
who thus give thee the greatest possible proof of 
its obedience, is not the less at thy disposal. We 

do 



110 CORTEZ. 

do not mean to excuse the error of our nation, but 
simply to take the blame of it upon ourselves, in* 
the hope that the sincerity of our repentance will 
appease thy anger. We alone formed the reso- 
lution of opposing thee, and we alone have re- 
solved in person to come and request peace of 
thee. We are not ignorant that Montezuma has 
endeavoured to deter thee from forming an alli- 
ance with us ; but if thou listenest to his councils, 
thou shouldst also remember that he is our enemy, 
if thou even cease to regard him as a tyrant, — yet 
such he must have already appeared, since he has 
endeavoured to make thee commit the most flagrant 
injustice. We do not ask thy assistance against 
him, our own strength is sufficient to oppose any 
enemy, thee alone excepte_d ; but it concerns us to 
behold thee give credit to his promises, because we 
are fully acquainted with his artifices. Although 
blind, a certain light, even while I am speaking^ 
breaks in upon my understanding, and discovers ta 
me afar off the misfortunes into which thou, art- on 
the brink of falling. Why should- Montezuma 
prevail upon thee to withdraw the peace thou 
wouldst otherwise grant?— Why wilt thou not 
yield to our request, and honour our city with 
thy presence? We are firmly resolved either to 
obtain thy friendship and confidence; or to resign 



CORTEZ. lit 

our liberty into thy hands^ Choose which of the 
two thou wilt prefer; for to us there is no alter- 
native, we must unavoidably become thy friends 
or thy slaves.'' 

Who could have resisted such an address from 
the mouth of so venerable an elder ? Cortez felt its 
full force ; and answered, that he complied with 
his desires, and that he need only send people to 
him to assist in conveying his baggage and re- 
moving his artillery. 

The next morning five hundred tamenes (or 
carriers) appeared in the camp, disputing the ho- 
nour of bearing the most heavy burdens. Cortex 
dire£ted the march, and it was conduced with as 
much order, and in as close ranks, as rf he had 
been going to give battle ; a precaution which this 
prudent chief observed in all his marches, and 
which greatly contributed to the success of his 
enterprises. 

Their entry into Tlascala resembled a triumph;, 
the streets were thronged with people who rent 
the air with exclamations of joy, intermingled with 
the noise of drums, fifes, and other instruments.-— 
Young girls strewed the paths of these extraordi- 
nary guests with flowers, the priests in their sacer- 
dotal habits walked before burning incense, all the 
council and the people advanced to salute them, 

and 



112 CORTEX. 

and confidence and pleasure ' reigned universally 
throughout the city. 

The strangers, whom they called Teules, that 
is to say Gods, were conducted to a commodious 
and extensive building capable of containing them 
all, and Cortez had no sooner taken possession of 
it than he posted a good guard at all the avenues. 
This precaution was by no means agreeable to the 
Tlascalans, who considered it as a mark of dis- 
trust; but when it was explained to them that it 
was the custom of the European soldiers, when in 
perfect security, to continue the exercise of war in 
order to preserve the habit of it, they were satis- 
fied, and Xicotencatl expressed his intention of 
establishing the same custom in his army. Cortez 
became more and more sensible of what great uti- 
lity the friendship of this warlike and generous 
people would be to him ; in consequence he com- 
manded his men to a£t amicably and with justice 
towards them, while he himself left no means un- 
employed to confirm their confidence, and the 
good opinion they entertained of him. 

He was successful in his aim; but his enthu- 
siastic zeal for religion on a sudden created a total 
change in his condu£t, and was near causing the 
loss of all the advantages he had promised himself 
from the friendship of the Tlascalans. 

In 



CORTEZ. 113 

In a discourse with one of the council upon re* 
ligion, he endeavoured to make him understand 
that they ought to renounce their false worship, 
and adore the one only true God, that of the 
Christians. 

The chief replied, that the Tlascalans might, 
as the Spaniards were, be commanded in battle by 
one general ; but that one God could never be suf- 
ficient for them all. — That for their part they must 
have many ; one to protect them against storms, 
another to secure them from inundations, a third 
to assist them in war, and a fourth to supply their 
other wants. In vain Cortez replied, that the God 
of the Christians took charge of all, and regulated 
and governed all ; it still appeared impossible to the 
Tlascalans, that one single Divinity could preside 
over so many different objedts. Upon this Cortez 
sent for the almoner (the ecclesiastic who accom- 
panies the soldiers in war) to satisfy the doubts of 
the chief and the other Tlascalans who were 
present. The almoner exerted his utmost powers 
of eloquence, and his auditors listened attentively, 
but when he had concluded they earnestly entreated 
that he would say nothing upon this point beyond 
the Spanish quarter; alledging, that if their Teules 
(or Gods; heard any thing on the subje6l, they 
would certainly revenge themselves by destroying 

their 



114 CORTEZ. 

their whole country. Cortez now became fu- 
rious, and already meditated the design of re -a&ing 
the same scene as at Cempoalla, viz. extirpating 
by force the idolatrous worship ; but the almoner, 
Bartholomew d'Olmed, whose name on this occa- 
sion deserves to be recorded with honour, pre- 
vented it, by convincing him of the imprudence of 
such a proceeding. "Religion," said this en- 
lightened man, " ought not to be extended by fire 
and sword, but by mild instructions, and the ex- 
ample of a wise and peaceable condudt. I there- 
fore by no means approve the violence committed 
at Cempoalla." Who would not be pleased with 
these admirable principles of toleration, delivered 
by an ecclesiastic, in an age when almost every 
Christian, inflamed with a blind and extravagant 
zeal for conversion, held it just with fire and sword 
to persecute his fellow beings who differed from 
him in opinion, and to force upon them a belief of 
which they bad no convifition? 

Thus, my children, has Divine Providence* 
even in the dark ages of superstition, from time to 
time raised up good men, who have exerted their 
efforts to humanize the most degenerate of their 
species, and to animate them with the spirit of 
moderation, and charity towards their brethren. 
Rejoice, my children, that you exist at a period 

whea 



CORTEZ. 115 

When men of this description can no longer be 
ranked in the class of miracles; and when you ar- 
rive' at the age of maturity, ever do your utmost to 
diffuse among your fellow citizens the same spirit 
of tolerance and'humanity. 



DIALOGUE VII. 



Fe 



ERDINJND. Now, my dear father, I 
hope we shall go straight to Mexico ? 

The Father. Perhaps so; we shall soon see 
the place of our destination. The Spanish army 
reinforced by six thousand Tlascalans chosen 
from among the bravest, was on the point of de- 
parting, when in the instant a new embassy ar- 
rived from the Emperor Montezuma. 

John. I believe he will never cease sending 
embassies. What could he want now ? 

Peter. Doubtless to prevail on Cortez not to 
proceed to Mexico. 

The Father. No ; the instru&ions of the am- 
bassadors were now of another nature. Without 
pretending absolutely to determine whether or not 
he was really proceeding to Mexico, they simply 
requested him to go by the way of Cholula, as the 

emperor, 



1 1 6 CORTEZ. 

emperor, they said, had given orders that he 
should be received there agreeably to his quality, 
and provided with all things necessary for him and 
his army. The Tlascalans considered this invi- 
tation as extremely suspicious, and were persuaded 
that Montezuma was plotting some mischievous 
design ; they in consequence earnestly entreated 
their European conduftor not to expose himself to 
the dangers that awaited him at Cholula. 

Peter. Was Cholula then in their way to 
Mexico ? 

The Father: Yes; but it was possible to avoid 
passing through it. Here it is on the map, about 
a day's journey from Tlascala; and here is Mex- 
ico. Cortez thanked his Indian friends for their 
attention ; but assured them, that the European 
warriors were not accustomed to shun any danger 
how great soever, he therefore persevered in his 
plan, and marched right to Cholula. His recep- 
tion there w T as extremely friendly and honourable, 
but the Tlascalan auxiliaries, as being the de- 
clared enemies of the Cholulans, were not per- 
mitted to enter the city ; he was in consequence 
obliged to content himself with encamping them 
without the walls, and as they had already learnt 
of the Europeans the manner of fortifying them- 
selves 



CORTEZ, 1 J 7 

selves by fosses and ramparts, they were very 
careful to apply this new acquired knowledge. 

The first day was passed in perfe6i tranquillity; 
but insensibly some circumstances occurred which 
appeared but too well to confirm the suspicions of 
the Tlascalans. Provisions were furnished less 
abundantly, the caciques or governors appeared 
more distant, and had frequent consultations with 
the ambassadors of Montezuma. To this was 
joined the report of two Tlascalans, who by fa- 
vour of a disguise had found means to slip into 
the city, and had informed the Spanish general, 
that during ir they had seen a number of 

women and children make a hasty retreat into the 
environs, and that they had also learnt six voung 
children had been sacrificed in the principal tem- 
ple ; a custom which was always pra6tised when 
any military enterprise was projected. They' 
therefore advised him to be on his guard, as it was 
certain something was plotting against him, 

While Cortez exerted his utmost vigilance and 
penetration to fathom the hidden designs of the 
Cholulans, a lucky accident discovered the whole 
affair. 

A Cholulan woman of distinction had con- 
ceived so strong a friendship for the interpreter 
Marian, that she was anxious to preserve her from 

the 



118 COTtTEZ. 

the general destruction in which it was resolved to 
involve the Spaniards. She therefore confided to 
her the bloody determination of her countrymen, 
entreating her to forsake the Europeans while there 
was yet time. Marian, wholly devoted to the 
Spaniards, feigned an intention of profiting by this 
advice, and was thus admitted into the entire con- 
fidence of her friend, from whom she learnt, that 
the day desti-ned to the massacre of the Spaniards 
approached, that a body of Mexican soldiers was 
concealed in the neighbourhood of Cholula > ready 
to rush forward at a signal given, that several of 
the streets were already barricaded, and that in 
others they had dug deep fosses slightly covered to 
entrap the horses ; that, further, on the roofs of the 
houses and temples they had conveyed a great 
quantity of stones, and weapons calculated for 
lanching, in order to erufh and wound the Spa- 
niards from above, so that their ruin was inevitable. 
Marian hastened to communicate all she had 
heard to the general, and he lost not an instant in 
preparing to ward off the threatened danger. The 
first step he took was to entice the Indian lady and 
the three principal priests to his dwelling, where 
by menaces he drew from them a confession of the 
projected massacre. He now thought it necessary 
to give an example of vengeance that should for 

ever 



CORTEZ. llg 

ever deter Montezuma and his adherents from at- 
tempting a similar stratagem against him. With 
this design he arranged his own men, and the 
Cempoallians that were with him, in the court of 
the extensive building that had been destined for 
their residence, and sent orders to the Tlascalans 
to enter the city on the firing of the first gun. The 
principal chiefs of the Cholulans were then by di- 
vers pretences drawn to the Spanish quarters, and 
arrested ; after which the signal was given, and the 
massacre began. The Spaniards and the Cempo- 
allians dispersed themselves in the streets, and the 
Tlascalans at the same instant rushed into the city. 
Transported with brutal fury they gave no 
quarter, but hewed down the inhabitants on every 
side, so that the carcases of the slain every where 
marked the path of their inhuman exterminators. 
The inhabitants deprived -of their chiefs seemed 
thunder-struck, and scarcely dared raise their 
trembling hands in their own defence. The con- 
cealed body of Mexicans indeed advanced to their 
support; but they were as easily defeated as the 
Cholulans, and were constrained, with many of 
the inhabitants who had escaped the sword of the 
enemy, to take refuge in the towers and temples. 
Cortez promised life to all who would voluntarily 
surrender; but one only profited by the offered 

pardon, 



120 JORTEZ. 

pardon, the rest appearing to prefer death to sub- 
mission. He then resolved on an action from 
which, my children, let us turn our eyes with pity 
and horror, that our imagination be not contami- 
nated with the representation of a scene which 
must cause humanity to shudder. He set fire to 
the temple, and the multitude of unfortunate In- 
dians who had fled to it for safety became a prey- 
to the flames. 

Two whole days were devoted without inter* 
ruption to this horrid execution, during which the 
merciless enemy ceased not to burn, pillage, and 
massacre. At length justice appeared content, the 
greediness of booty satisfied, and the thirst of blood 
appeased. Cortez liberated the chiefs he had 
seized, reproached them with the perfidy which 
had constrained him to have recourse to so san- 
er uinarv a measure, and exacted that the inha- 
bitants who left the city should be recalled and the 
ancient order established. 

In consequence he caused a general pardon to 
be published, and the idolatrous respect: for the 
Spaniards, which had also seized the Cholulans 
that remained, soon brought back those who had 
fled; so that after some days the city again 
swarmed with inhabitants, w 7 ho wholly submitting 
to the will of the conquerors, were ready in every 

thing 



CQRTEZ* 121 

thing to obey the murderers of their relatives, and 
die destroyers of their temples. 

And now, my children, prepare to behold this 
undaunted champion, whom we have followed 
thus far, enter the capital of the empire. But first 
contemplate the same hand, still dropping with the 
blood of the murdered Cholulans, perform an 
adtion which does equal honour to his humanity 
and policy, this was no less than establishing 
peace and friendship between two nations which 
had 'hitherto been irreconcileable enemies. By his 
orders the Tlascalans and Cholulans were obliged 
henceforth to cease all hostilities, and to swear, 
with the ceremonies that are with them held most 
sacred, a friendship, which on one side put an end 
to all effusion of blood, and on the other procured 
the greatest advantages to the Spaniards; for by 
these pacific measures, in the place of enemies, he 
left in this country faithful allies, ready, in case of 
need, to advance to his succo.ur, or at least insured 
to himself a safe retread in case his enterprise 
against Montezuma failed of the expected success. 
Thus, my children, every good action by which 
we contribute to the tranquillity of others, fails not 
in the end to produce the same good consequence 
to ourselves. But now let us -proceed to Mexico. 
Our first station shall be at Tezcuco, one of the 
G most 



122 CORTEZ. 

most considerable cities of the empire. Here it is 
on this small map*, where also is delineated the 
lake on which Mexico is situated, and also the 
most adjacent countries. 

Theophilus. Is Mexico then seated in the 
middle of a lake ? 

The Father. As you see. This large lake is 
formed by two others, which are only separated by- 
two strips of land, or narrow causeways ; but that 
which is more surprising is, that one of these lakes 
contains fresh water, and the other salt, a pheno- 
menon of which the true cause is yet imperfedtly 
known. Some however think that there is at the 
bottom of the one a great bed of salt, and that it 
is this which renders the water brackish; an opi- 
nion which appears to be most probable. 

The Spanish army continued its march with 
great celerity, and the farther it advanced, the 
more reason had Cortez to promise himself a 
happy issue to his enterprise. Wherever he halted 
he heard nothing but complaints against the cruel 
disposition of Montezuma, and every where found 
governors ready to throw off his tyrannic yoke. 
The disaffedtion of the Cacique of Tezcuco was 
particularly conspicuous, for he received the Spa- 
niards 

* The little map is represented on the same sheet as 
the large one. 



€ORTEZ. - 123 

niards as tutelary angels sent for the deliverance of 
his country. Besides, it became more and more 
evident that the supine Montezuma had lost all 
-courage, and that in his distress he knew not what 
course to take. One while messengers arrived to 
invite the Spanish general to Mexico, — again others 
appeared to contradi£t this invitation; — then others 
would follow with permission for him to advance. 
Cortez however continued his march, without 
concerning himself either with his invitation or 
prohibition. He took bis route by a mountainous 
road from Tezcuco to Chalco, and from thence to 
Istapalapa. You will see both these places on the 
little map. 

Having passed the mountains of Chalco, the 
landscape which opened before them inspired all 
with transport and admiration. An extensive 
and beautiful country at once broke upon their 
view, in the midst of which was a lake resembling 
a sea. On this lake they perceived several cities 
and hamlets, which appeared to rise out of the bo- 
som of the waters ; and in the midst of all, the ex- 
tensive and rich capital itself, distinguished by the 
prodigious number of its temples and towers. On 
the first view of this splendour the Spaniards, 
struck with astonishment, stopped, not knowing 
whether they were awake or in a dream. They 
G 2 imagined 



124 C0RTE2. 

«, 

imagined themselves transported into some fairy 
legion ; so grand and magnificent did this variety 
of objects appear, which neither their sight nor 
imagination could embrace at once. From this 
moment they considered themselves amply recom- 
pensed for all they had suffered, and in full pos- 
session of immense treasures, all those dangers 
-which had before so much alarmed them, being 
eclipsed and banished from their minds as a slight 
mist is dispersed by the first rays of the sun. — > 
Cortez with pleasure remarked this general una- 
nimity, and, resolving to profit by it, advanced with 
the utmost confidence on one of the causeways of 
the lake, which led to the superb residence of the 
emperor. 

A vast multitude of people soon came out of 
the city to him. There appeared to be more than 
a thousand, all apparently persons of distinction, 
wearing mantles of fine cotton, and upon their 
heads bunches of feathers* They advanced to- 
wards the Spanish army in respectful silence, and 
every individual, as he passed, saluted the general 
with testimonies of profound veneration. Thev 
informed him that Montezuma himself would soon 
approach, and he soon saw the advanced guard of 
his magnificent suite. It was composed of two 
hundred attendants, all dressed In the manner above 

described, 



CORTEZ. 125 

described, and equally adorned with bunches of 
feathers. Their feet were bare, and they walked 
two by two, preserving the most profound silence. 
As soon as they had gained the front of the; Spanish 
army they halted, and arranged themselves on 
each side of the wall of the causeway, to admit 
the view of a band still more magnificent of the 
emperor's officers, in the midst of which appeared 
Montezuma himself, seated in an open chariot of 
gold. Four of the chief nobles of his empire car- 
ried him on their shoulders, while others held over 
him a canopy skilfully wrought of green feathers, 
which had to the eye the effect of a green and 
silver tissue. At the head of this company walked 
three chiefs bearing golden wands, which from 
time to time they raised with an air^of great so- 
lemnity ; a signal at which the peopie covered their 
faces and prostrated themselves, as unworthy to 
raise their eyes towards the august person of their 
sovereign. When the cavalcade was sufficiently 
near, Cortez alighted from his horse, and advanced 
respedtfully to meet the emperor, who in return 
descended from his litter, and, leaning on the two 
princes, deigned also to proceed with slow and 
majestic steps towards the formidable stranger, 
while his suite spread rich carpets before him, that 
his royal feet might not be defiled by touching the 
G 3 ear th. 



126 C9RTEZ* 

earth. Cortez accosted him with a noble free- 
dom, and greeted him with a profound respeft in 
the European manner. Montezuma returned 
this compliment by kissing his hand, after having: 
touched the ground with it - 3 a salute which, in 
that country, is considered as a mark of the highest 
respeit. This condescension from one of the 
proudest monarchs, who saluted his idols only by 
a slight inclination of the head, threw the Mexi- 
cans into the utmost astonishment, and inspired 
them wholly with the idea that the strangers were 
not men, but supernatural beings ; in consequence 
of this the word teules, signifying, as I have al- 
ready said, gods, in their language, was fre- 
quently heard among them. 

Cortez wore over his armour a chain of 
false jewels, which he designed as a present for 
Montezuma. As soon, therefore, as the first salu- 
tations w r ere over, he took it off, and put it on the 
neck of the emperor, who appeared perfectly 
pleased, and immediately replaced it by a collar 
composed of very scarce shells, ornamented on 
each side with four golden cray-fish ; an unex- 
pe£ted condescension, which astonished his sub- 
jects still more than the richness of the present, 
which was considered as one of the most valuable 
among his treasures* 

Montezuma 



C0RTJ2Z. ±27 

Montezuma appeared to be about the age of 
forty, of the rriiddle stature, rather thin than cor- 
pulent ; his deportment was truly majestic, his 
countenance animated, and his complexion fairer 
than the generality of the Mexicans. His dress 
consisted of a mantle of fine cottcyi, adorned, or 
rather loaded with gold ornaments, pearls, and 
precious stones. On his head he wore a crown 
of gold, in the form of a bishop's mitre, and on his 
legs a sort of buskin, covered with plates of the 
same metal, and fastened with leather thongs and* 
gold buckles* 

Montezuma made his entry into the city, with 
his guest. It was not then called Mexico, but 
Tenuchtitlan. It was spacious and well peopled, 
containing, according to the Spanish historians, 
about twenty thousand ordinary houses, and a vast 
number of temples and palaces, the grandeur and * 
magnificence of which surpassed every thing that 
had till then been seen in the New World, though 
it seems probable that the historians of those times 
have often exceeded the bounds of truth in their 
descriptions of this beautiful city. One of the ex- 
tensive palaces before-mentioned was assigned for 
the residence of the Spanish army. Its walls and 
gates gave it the resemblance of a fortress, and 
Montezuma himself conducted his guests to it. On 
G 4 leaving 



£28 CORTEZ. 

leaving them to enjoy, as he said, repose after 
their fatigues, he desired them to consider them- 
selves as at home, and among their own brethren. 
Cortez, however, as usual, posted sentinels and 
cannon at all the avenues, and exhorted his officers 
and soldiers to be equally vigilant, and to keep up 
the same discipline they had observed on former 
occasions. We will now, with Montezuma, leave 
them to repose for some hours, and then proceed 
farther. 



DIALOGUE VIIL 



JL HE Father. The same evening Montezuma, 
with his magnificent suite, went to pay the first 
visit to his highly honoured guest, who was no 
sooner informed of his approach, than he respe£t- 
fully went out into the first court to receive him. 
He saluted him with a profound bow, and con- 
duced him into his apartment, where the monarch 
seated himself familiarly, and made a sign to the 
general to do the same. 

During this time his attendants arranged them- 
selves against the wall ; and the Spaniards, who 
remained in the apartment, followed the example. 

Marian 



CORTEZ. 129 

Marian, the interpreter, was then called, and the 
emperor delivered a solemn speech, in which he 
endeavoured to efface the ill impressions which 
the disadvantageous reports concerning him might 
have made on Cortez. " There are those among 
my subjects," said he, " who may have told thee 
that I am descended from the immortal gods js 
others may have endeavoured to calumniate, and 
describe me to thee as a haughty and cruel tyrant. 
The first of these reports," continued he, " de-' 
serves as little credit as the last, and the refutation 
of the one will be sufficient to prove the falsehood 
of the other." With these words he uncovered 
his arm, and desired Cortez to convince himself 
that he was flesh and bone like other men. He 
then proceeded to assure him, that the accounts of 
his tyranny, by which his enemies endeavoured 
to render him odious, were without foundation. 
He next declared his sentiments concerning the 
origin of the Spaniards, and the cause of their 
visit, in these terms— / 

' " We know from traditions, which have been 
handed down to us from the most remote ages, 
that our ancestors came from a distant part of the 
world, and made the conquest of the. countries 
which are now under my dominion.. Their chief 
was the great Zuezalcoal, who, after having 
G 5 founded 



130 CORTEZ. 

founded this empire, quitted it, in order to take 
possession of other countries towards the east ; but 
he left with us the prophecy, that a people, who 
should descend from him, would one day arrive, 
and entirely change our law r s and government. I 
now see clearly, from all I have heard, and from 
my own observation, that you are the descendants 
of our great founder, who has himself foretold 
your arrival ; and it is on this account that I do 
not receive you as strangers, but as relatives. I 
inform you of this, that you may at once acquaint 
me with the will of the great monarch of the east, 
your sovereign, which shall, henceforward, be a 
law to me and my subje&s." 

Cortez felt inexpressible joy at tidings so fa- 
vourable to his views, and was particularly cau^ 
tious of advancing any thing which might render 
this supposed origin of the Spaniards doubtful. On 
the contrary, he confirmed the sentiments of the 
superstitious Montezuma, that they were the de- 
scendants of the great Zuezalcoal, who had fore- 
told their arrival ; and then added — " Though it 
' Is evident that the supreme monarch of the east* 
whose meanest subjedt I have the honour to be, 
has, by his descent, just claims to all these coun- 
tries, he is far from wishing to avail himself of his 
rights ; he desires nothing of you and your people, 

but 



CORTEX. 131 

but that for your own interest you forego your 
errors, and embrace the true religion, which he 
causes me to announce. Know then, that you 
are deluded ; that you follow a false worship ; 
that you pay adoration to inanimate blocks, the in- 
ventions of your priests, and the work of your 
own hands. There is but one true God, who 
created and preserves all things. This Great Be- 
ing, /without beginning and without end, formed 
the whole universe ; all those luminous bodies 
which enlighten us,. .the earth, with all it contains* 
and the first man, from whom we are all de- 
scended. It is to the worship of this God, great 
emperor, that the king, my sovereign, from sen- 
timents of the purest humanity, calls you and 
your people. This is what he requires ; after 
which, he will form with you a perpetual alli- 
ance, which cannot but pi ove of the utmost ad- 
vantage to you and to your whole people. " 

During this speech . Montezuma was visibly 
agitated ; he could not, without indignation, hear 
his gods spoken of contemptuously, and w r ith dif- 
ficulty contained himself till Cortez ceased speak- 
ing. He then rose hastily, and replied, " That 
he received the proposition of an alliance with a 
prince descended from the great Zuezalcoal with 
the utmost gratitude and pleasure ; but with re- 
spect-. 



132 CORTEZ. 

sped: to the gods, the one that the Spaniards adored 
might possess all- the power he attributed to him, 
without in the least lessening the merit of his." — 
With these words he broke off the conference, 
and, after distributing some magnificent presents, 
returned to his palace. The next day Cortez was 
conduced to an audience with great pomp, ac- 
companied by his principal officers. 

Frederic. What does an audience mean, 
father ? 

The Father. Simply, that he was condu&ed 
into the presence of the emperor, to converse with 
him. — This interview continued longer than the 
former ; Montezuma asked a number of ques- 
tions concerning the manners and customs of the 
Europeans ; and Cortez, who had nothing so much 
at heart as the conversion he had proje&ed, 
seized all occasions to turn the discourse upon re- 
ligion. Above all, he declaimed loudly against 
the horrid custom of sacrificing men, and feeding 
upon the flesh of our brethren. He did not yet at- 
tempt to make his Mexican majesty understand 
that he must regard even his enemies as brethren ; 
but his arguments in this interview so far pre- 
vailed, that the emperor caused human flesh to be 
excluded from his own table* 

After 



CORTEZ. 133 

After this Montezuma, desirous of shewing 
his guests the grandeur of his temples, conducted 
them into the most spacious, the priests permitting 
them to enter, upon condition that they behaved 
with decency. Montezuma himself took the 
trouble of shewing and explaining every thing to 
them ; he told them the names of the idols, the 
largest of which he called Vizlipuzli, and de- 
scribed the manner of worship that was peculiar 
to each. 

[Vizlipuzli appeared to the children so ridiculous 
a name, that they all burst into a loud laugh ; their 
father, therefore, vjas obliged to make a short pause, 
after which he continued.] 

What you have just experienced happened to 
some of the Spaniards when Montezuma was 
recounting to them the absurdities of the worship 
of the Mexican idols ; they burst into a loud 
laugh. Do you think this conduct was proper ? 

Some of the children confused. No, 

The Father. Why so ? 

John. Because it is wrong to ridicule what 
others hold sacred. 

The Father. Why do you judge so ? 

John, Because it is vexatious and humiliating 
to hear what we think sacred, laughed at. 

The 



134 CORTEZ, 

The Father. But suppose It to be any thing 
really absurd ? 

John. Should that even be the case, all do 
not see with the same eyes. 

The Father. You are perfectly right, my 
dear boy. Never should we permit ourselves the 
license of ridiculing, even in jest, what a single 
person among our associates considers as belong- 
ing to religion ; for what can be more distressing 
to persons, truly devout, than to see those objecfls 
treated with contempt, and turned into ridicule, 
which they are accustomed to hold in the highest 
veneration — which afford them consolation in all 
their troubles — which incite them to the pra&ice 
of virtue — and, finally, which inspire them with 
the hope of a happy futurity ? How gross., so^ 
ever, therefore, may be the error or absurdity, the. 
reflection that one of our brothers holds it as sa- 
cred, should be sufficient to retain us w T ithin the, 
bounds of gravity, at least in his presence. At- 
tend seriously, my children, to this precept ; for, 
in your intercourse with the world, you will often 
associate with men whose religion .and form of 
worship will be different from that in which Vou 
have been educated, and will often appear ridicu- 
lous ; but on these occasions recollect the advice. 
I now give y ou> and .. be careful never to say or 

da 



CQRTE2-. _ 135 

So any thing that can be construed into ridicule. 
Compassion is the only sentiment we should feci 
on perceiving our neighbour in error ; to laugh, 
jest, and ridicule his failing, is a real cruelty^ 
which, during life, we should carefully avoid. — 
But to return. — -Montezuma, by a look of gra~ 
vity, recalled the Spaniards, who insulted him by 
their risibility,, to a sense of decorum ; but Cortez 
himself soon after put Montezuma's patience to a 
still greater trial, on an occasion equally absurd.— 
He told the emperor, that if he would permit him 
to eredl: the cross of Jesus Christ in the midst of 
this idolatrous temple, he would soon see that his 
false gods could not support its presence. I call 
this proposition absurd^. as much because it was not 
made in its proper time or place, as because it im- 
plied a visibk inconsistency ; for why. should not 
the inanimate forms of idols support the presence 
of a cross equally inanimate ? Or could Cortez 
suppose, that from the moment the cross of Jesus 
Christ should be ere6ted, the idols would be broken 
by a suddea miracle ? However this might be, 
Montezuma heard the proposal "with indignation, 
and the priests with horror. The former had, 
nevertheless, the art of restraining himself, and 
simply replied, that he should, at least, have ex- 
pected his guests not to forget the respect due to 

his 



l36 CORTEZ. 

his person in the place where they were. With 
these wo^'dshe withdrew, telling the Spaniards that 
they might return to their quarters, but that he 
should remain, and implore pardon of his gods for 
the forbearance he had exercised towards those 
who had so highly insulted them. 

John. Well said, Montezuma. 

The Father, This dismission was but too well 
merited ; but that you may not encourage an in- 
clination for laughter, whenever the idolatrous 
worship of these poor ignorant Indians is spoken 
of, I shall give you a slight sketch of their feasts 
of sacrifices, which is indeed one of the most hor- 
rid picftures to which human superstition ever gave 
birth. Your blood, my children, will run cold 
with horror at the description, and you will feel 
that you have reason to thank God for having 
brought you into existence in an age in which, if 
this abominable worship of idols is not wholly 
£xtin£l, it is, at least, less extensive. 

Human sacrifices constituted the principal part 
of the religious rites of the Mexicans, who often 
made war on a neighbouring people, for the sole 
purpose of taking prisoners, w T hom they might 
sacrifice on their altars, and afterwards feast upon. 
In battle they preserved the lives of their enemies 
for no other purpose, than that they might perish 

in 



CORTJEZ. 137 

in a manner still more cruel, by the knives of their 
priests. These wretched vidtims, immolated on 
the same day, often amounted to some thousands ; 
there are writers who assert even to the number 
of twenty-five thousand ; but this account is pro- 
bably exaggerated. If the nation had been at 
peace for any length of time, and prisoners were 
consequently wanting for sacrifice, the priests re- 
presented to the emperor that their gods were 
hungry, and immediately the imperial mandate 
was issued throughout the country, that the gods 
were desirous of making a feast ; a declaration 
which served as a signal of universal war against 
every neighbouring people. As soon as a suffi- 
cient number of prisoners were taken, the sangui- 
nary priests proceeded to their abominable festival 
in the following manner : — 

The unfortunate viitims were brought into a 
space before the porch of the temple ; soon after 
the sacrificer appeared, dressed in a w 7 hite robe, 
bearing a small idol made of wheat flour and 
honey, and which, to render it more terrific, had 
green eyes and yellow teeth. He immediately 
ascended a stone, which raised him above the 
wall, and from thence shewed to each of the pri- 
soners this frightful figure, at the same time re- 
peating these words—- Behold your God. He then 

descended. 



138 CORTEZ. 

descended, put himself at the head of the prisoners, 
and marched with them towards the place where 
the other sacrificers were assembled. The prin- 
cipal of these barbarians, who had the direction of 
these infamous sacrifices, and who was honoured 
with the title of Iopilzin, was clothed in a long, 
robe fringed with rags of the colour of blood, and 
wore on his head a crown of green and yellow 
plumes, his ears and under lip being ornamented: 
with gold rings mounted with green stones* His 
face was blacked, and in his murderous hand he 
grasped a knife formed of a large sharp flint. Five 
more of these inhuman butchers, in their sacerdotal; 
habiliments, stood behind him,- each, ready to dis- 
charge the fun6tion assigned him. The unfor- 
tunate prisoners then advanced naked,, one after 
another, and were dispatched on a large stone 
destined for the horrid purpose. The first being 
seized and stretched out, two of the sacrificers held 
his hands, two others his feet, the fifth his neck, 
by means of a collar,, which had been put there 
for that purpose,, and die sixth priest, I shudder to 
relate it, supporting himself by his left hand on the 
breast of the wretched vi£tim, with the right ripped 
open the body, and taking, out the heart, still beat- 
ing, held it to the Sun to offer the vapours that 
arose from it* 



CQRTEZ, 139 

[The Father observing his children affecled by 
this horrid piflure, for some minutes ceased, after 
which he continued.} 

This horrid execution was no sooner finished, 
than the murderous lopilzin turned towards the 
idol, and rubbed his frightful visage with the heart 
of the victim, muttering some mysterious words. 
In the mean while, the other priests took the 
corpse, and threw it at the foot of the steps, where 
those remained who had conducted the prisoners, 
and to whom the carcases belonged ; they eagerly- 
seized the bodies that were thrown them, carried 
them to their dwellings, and feasted on them with 
their friends. Horrible, my children, as this may 
appear, you must prepare for a scene still more so. 
These wretched men, so deeply immersed in the 
most barbarous superstition, at a certain season ce* 
iebrated a festival, to which they gave a name 
which in English we can only render by that of 
the feast of flaying or skinning of men. Their man* 
ner of celebrating this festival was conformable to 
the abominable name it bore. The priests flayed 
the prisoners destined to be sacrificed, and covered 
the servants of the temple with their skins, in the 
manner of a cloak. Thus arrayed, they ran 
through the city dancing and singing before every 
house, the inhabitants of which were obliged each 

• , to 



1 40 CORTEZ. 

to bestow an alms for their priests; for, if any one 
refused to contribute, they struck him on the face 
with the flap of the skin till he was completely 
smeared with blood. This public extortion, which 
enriched the priests, continued till the skin began 
to putrify. Endeavour now, my children to sur- 
mount the disagreeable impression this description 
must have made on you. I should have scrupled 
to shock you by a recital of the enormities to 
which superstition can conduct mankind, if it did 
not at the same time furnish us with a key to the 
mystery, why Divine Providence should permit a 
handful of adventurers to attack so numerous a 
people; to vanquish them, bend them beneath their 
yoke, and condemn them to a life of misery and 
hardship. The variety of plagues which the am- 
bitious Europeans brought upon the inhabitants of 
the New World were /undoubtedly a very great 
evil ; but if they are compared with the cruelties 
which superstition such as we have described dared 
commit with impunity, we camxot forbear con- 
fessing, that these unfortunate people gained as 
much as they lost by the imposition of the Spanish 
yoke. Let us therefore rest satisfied with the 
feeble ray -of light afforded us by the PvTost High to 
develope his providence in this instance, till the tioi$ 
shall arrive in which the thick darkness which 

now 



CORTEZ. l4t 

iiow obscures our understanding shall be dissipated, 
and this and every other proceeding of his wisdom 
openly revealed and justi£ed to man. But now to 
return to Cortez. The first impulse of joy occa~ 
sioned by the happy success of his formidable en- 
terprise was scarcely over, when he began to reflect 
upon the danger into which his temerity had 
plunged him. He now saw but too clearly that 
he had hazarded more than he ought to have done, 
and that his own fate, and that of his army, were 
in the hands of a prince whose real sentiments 
respecting him had always appeared' equivocal, 
The Tiascalans had, from the first,, never ceased 
exhorting him to be on his guard; expressing their 
fears that Montezuma would not have consented 
to give him entrance into the city, had he not pre- 
pared a snare from which he thought it impossible 
for him to escape. The character of this prince* 
and the particular situation of the city, gave a 
great degree of probability to this idea ; for it was 
only necessary to break down the bridges built over 
the dykes of the lake, and Cortez would find him- 
self, with his little army, entirely separated' from 
the main land, and surrounded by an innumerable 
people, against whom neither his courage nor his 
arms was sufficient to secure him. To this sub- 
ject of inquietude was added a very unfortunate 

incident 



I4S CORTEZ. 

incident which happened at Vera Cruz, and of 
which Cortez had received information a little 
before his arrival at Mexico. Qualpopoca, one 
of the Mexican generals, at the head of a consi- 
derable corps, had resolved (after the departure of 
Cortez) to punish the natives who had thrown off 
the dominion of his master, and put themselves 
under the protection of the Spaniards. Escalante, 
Governor of Vera Cruz, considering it his duty to 
assist his allies, joined their army with the small 
number of troops under his command, and the two 
horsemen that were left with him, and gave battle 
to Qualpopoca. Escalante indeed gained the vic- 
tory, but had at the same time the misfortune to 
be mortally wounded, with seven other Spaniards, , 
This was not all ; for one of the horses was not 
only killed, but his rider fell into the hands of the 
enemy, who put their prisoner to death, and car- 
ried his head in triumph throughout the different 
cities of the empire, as an indubitable proof that 
the Spaniards were not invulnerable ; after which 
they had sent it to Mexico. 

Cortez, whom all this with reason disquieted, 
gave orders that no one should intrude upon his 
privacy, and passed the succeeding night in re- 
flecting on the most prudent measures he could 
adopt to ward off the danger that appeared to 

, threaten 



CORTEZ. I A3 

threaten him. Towards morning he sent for 
some faithful Tlascalans, to inform himself whe- 
ther they had remarked or heard any thing that 
might develope the designs of Montezuma. Their 
answer confirmed his suspicions, and at the same 
time the resolution he had already formed, Their 
intelligence was this ; that for some time past the 
grandees of the empire had pursued a mysterious 
conduct ; that farther, the head of a Spaniard had 
been sent from a distant province, and that the 
emperor had given stricSt orders it should be care- 
fully concealed. — To conclude, jthey maintained 
having heard that Montezuma had it in agitation 
to break down the bridges of the dykes. This was 
enough for Cortez ; his resolution was fixed, and 
he set about convincing his officers that it was the 
sole means left for their preservation. 

Nicholas. What could be his design ? 

The Father. Endeavour to guess. — Imagine 
yourselves in his plaqe ; recolledt every circum- 
stance, and then put the question to yourselves,— 
if I had been in the. situation of Cortez, what step 
should I have taken to extricate myself from the 
dilemma? To-morrow when we meet at the 
usual hour, each of you shall tell me his sentiments; 
and then, if one among you discover the alter- 
native Cortez chose, I will continue my history, 

otherwise 



144 €ORT£Z. 

otherwise we must set apart twenty-four hours for 
reflection. 

Some of the' Children exclaim^ Oh, I am sure I 
shall guess it ! 

Others. And so shall I ! 

The Father. Well, I shall he delighted if you 
all prove successful. To-morrow therefore be 
prepared. 



DIALOGUE IX. 



T, 



HE next day, when the good father sum- 
moned his little flock, visible signs of agitation 
were seen among them, each appeared to have 
ready at the end of his tongue the sentiment he 
wished to disclose; but their father had forbid any 
one to deliver his opinion till he was asked in full 
assembly. This restraint therefore occasioned no 
small perturbation among them ; their hands, their 
feet, the muscles of their faces were in motion, all 
was expectation and impatience. Their father, 
who, as I have elsewhere remarked, whenever he 
saw his young auditors unwilling to submit to the 
curb of reason, always took care to exercise their 
patience, advanced with so snail-like a pace, that 

it 



CORTEZ. 145 

it was absolutely enough to try the temper of the 
most patient. At length, having prolonged the 
time upon various frivolous pretences, such as 
stopping to put aside different things that did net in 
the least incommode him, and blowing his nose 
ten times when once would have sufficed, he 
seated himself, and, addressing his young auditors, 
whose expectation was all this time on tiptoe, — 
Well, Henry, said he, what should you have done 
had you been in the place of Cortez? 

Henry. . I should immediately have told Mon- 
tezuma what I heard:; and at the same time have 
iixed my eye on him to see if he changed colour. 
If I had observed any alteration in his countenance, 
I should have judged that he was guilty, and have 
declared open war against him. 

Theophilus. For my part, I should have with- 
drawn with my people to some place of safety 
while it v/as yet in my power. 

Ferdinand. Oh fye, Theophilus, what a cow- 
ard ! No, I would have sent a small detachment 
with a couple of cannon to the bank, to prevent 
any of the bridges being destroyed, and then I 
warrant I should have managed those within the 
city. 

Some of the rest exclaim. That would have been 
my way. 

H The 



146 CORTEZ. 

The Father. And what would you have done, 
Frederic? 

Frederic. I, father? — I should have cut off 
Montezuma's head ? 

The Father. Heaven preserve us ! What, so 
cruel, Frederic? 

Fredericy with warmth. Yes, father. Why 
should he endeavour to kill me and my men? 

The Father. But it was not yet positively de- 
cided whether such was really the intention of 
Montezuma. It was only suspected. 

Frederic. Well, but I would first have been 
certain. 

The Father. That would undoubtedly have 
been prudent; you might otherwise have com- 
mitted an a£t of injustice. 

Peter. Now, dear father, may I speak ? 

The Father. Certainly; now 'tis your turn. 

Peter. I should have rendered myself master 
of the person of Montezuma, and would have 
treated him according to his ranis ; but I would 
not have set him at liberty till I had been perfectly 
free from all fears concerning him. 

The Father. Did this idea, Peter, really pro- 
ceed from hence? (Touching his forehead.) 

Peter 9 



CORTEZ. 14'/ 

Peter> laughing. No, dear father* I must 
needs confess, when I was with my uncle, I one 
day read some extra£ts from the history. 

i The Father. Your sagacity is easily accounted 
for then, but as your sincerity merits approbation, 
we must look upon the idea as your own; I shall 
therefore continue my narrative, and inform you 
that it was this resolution Cortez adopted. He 
determined to make the powerful Montezuma a 
prisoner in his capital, though surrounded by 
thousands of his subje&s, who almost idolized 
him. Tell me, my children, did you ever hear of 
an example of audacity that can be compared with 
this? 

Christian. Indeed, my dear father, it surpasses 
every thing. 

The Father. This daring project was no 
sooner formed, and approved by all the chiefs, than 
they proceeded to its immediate execution. All 
the Spanish corps was put under arms in the space 
belonging to their quarter, to be ready on the first* 
signal to fly to the succour of their general. Some 
small detachments were placed in the streets that 
led to the palace of Montezuma; a step which it 
was well known would create no suspicion on the 
part of the Mexicans, who were accustomed to 
see the Spaniards at all times armed. When the 
H g hour 



D4M CORTEZ. 

f 
hour was come at which Cortez usually went to 

pay his court to the emperor, he repaired to the 
palace, accompanied by five of his officers^ and 
thirty of the bravest men of his army. This pro- 
ceeding also was viewed by the Mexicans with 
indifference, as they had been for some time accus- 
tomed to the military parade which attended 
the Spanish general. 

Cortez was as usual received with respe£t, and 
immediately introduced into the apartment of 
Montezuma, with his officers and interpreters. 
The attendants then withdrew, and the conver- 
sation began. Cortez complained of the perfidy 
of Qualpopoca, in a manner that testified the 
greatest displeasure ; he urged, that in the time of 
peace, and contrary to all the rights of nations, he 
attacked his troops, and those of his allies, and that . 
merely from cruelty and thirst of blood he had 
murdered a Spanish prisoner, and sent his head in 
procession throughout the country. He added, 
that public report named him, Montezuma, as the 
author of this flagrant injustice; and that in con- 
sequence he felt himself obliged to demand satis- 
faction for the affront that had, by these means, 
been done to his sovereign, the greatest prince in 
the .universe. 

This 



cortez. I4g 

This discourse alarmed Montezuma so much, 
that he grew pale ; but he swore by every thing he 
held most sacred, that he had not the least hand in 
the disagreeable event he complained of, — and 
added, that as a proof of his innocence he would 
immediately give orders for Qualpopoca and his 
accomplices- to be arrested and conduced to 
Mexico. 

On this proposition Cortez resumed a friendly 
aspect, and assured him, that for his- part he should 
be perfectly content with this single explanation; 
but that for the satisfaction of his soldiers, who 
were highly incensed* something more was ne- 
cessary. It would, never be possible, he said, to 
persuade them that such an event could happen 
without the knowledge and approbation of the 
emperor, unless his majesty would consent to give 
a public proof of his confidence and friendship fo& 
the Spaniards, by passing some days in their quar- 
ter, where he should be attended with all the ve- 
neratioa due to his august person. 

At this extraordinary demand Montezuma was 
overpowered with astonishment and rage, he was 
incapable of articulating a word, and remained 
motionless as a statue; while Cortez continued to 
represent to him that there was nothing in this 
request indecorous, or in the least derogatory from 
H a. Bis* 



S50 CORTEZ. 

his dignity, as the quarter that had been assigned 
the Spaniards was one of his palaces, where it was 
often customary with him to pass some days. 

At length Montezuma, having somewhat re- 
covered from his surprise, proceeded with great 
warmth to express his resentment. It was not 
usual, he said with affeded dignity, for a sovereign 
of the Mexican empire to resign himself voluntarily 
into a prison; and that, should he even be capable 
of submitting to a meanness of this kind, his sub- 
jects would not permit him to undergo such an 
indignity. 

Cortez, who did not wish to employ violence, 
had alternately recourse to the most flattering 
promises and the severest menaces, in order to 
prevail on him to comply with his demand; — but 
all was in vain. At length, after three hours con- 
test, VaL.quez de Leon, a young Spanish officer, 
exclaimed, with an air of impatience aftd defiance, 
" Where is the end of so much ceremony ? Let us 
seize him by force, or let him perish at our feet." 
Montezuma desired to know what that angry man 
said, and Marian satisfied his curiosity ; adding, 
that she trembled for his life if he did not that in- 
stant surrender. 

This effectually subdued the courage of the 
unfortunate prince; he saw that he w T as in the 

power 



CORTEZ. l5i 

power of these formidable strangers, and that he 
had to expedl the last extremities if he longer re- 
sisted. 'He yielded therefore to necessity, and, 
leaping from his seat, told Cortez that he relied 
upon his assurances, and consented to go with him. 
The chiefs of the empire were immediately by 
his order assembled; when he himself informed 
them* that for certain important reasons he should 
go and remain some days with his guests, The 
chiefs were greatly astonished at so unexpected and 
dangerous a resolution, but did not venture the 
least opposition to the will of their sovereign. A 
litter was then brought, and the unfortunate Mon- 
tezuma was borne as a prisoner by his own at- 
tendants, escorted by a guard of Spaniards.— 
Scarcely was the noise of his removal spread 
throughout the city, than the streets swarmed with 
people, whose air and gestures were expressive of 
the greatest grief and terror. Some shrieked, 
others wept, and many threw themselves on the 
ground, overwhelmed with the deepest affliction ; 
Montezuma endeavoured to calm them by as- 
suming a cheerful countenance, and assuring them 
that he was not a prisoner, but was going with his 
own consent to paSs some days with his guests, 
and partake of their amusements. This explana- 
tion in some measure composed them, and the 
H 4 Spaniards 



152 eORTEZ. 

Spaniards continued without interruption to ad- 
vance with their illustrious piisoner, till they ar- 
rived safe at their own quarters. Here Montezuma 
made choice of an apartment ; and the Spaniards* 
by order of their general, waited on him with the 
most profound respe£h Soon after, he sent some 
of his officers into the streets to call in the people, 
whom he commanded, under pain of death, to re- 
main quiet; repeating the assurance, that his resi- 
dence with the Spaniards was entirely with his 
own inclination, and that he meant to continue 
with them some days. After this, in presence of 
Cortez, he dispatched some captains of his guard, 
to bring Qualpopoca* and the other chiefs of the 
army, who were his accomplices, prisoners to 
Mexico. 

Cortez, in the interval, exerted every effort to 
render the captivity of the unfortunate emperor 
supportable. Not only his officers, but the most 
considerable men of the empire had free access to 
his person ; but the precaution was taken of not 
suffering too great a number to enter at a time, 
on pretence of preventing confusion. Montezuma 
himself continued to preserve an air of gaiety, in 
order the more effectually to conceal from his sub- 
jects the humiliating condition to which he was 
reduced, He even treated his jailors, the Spaniards, 

with 



CORTEX 153 

with a friendship and generosity sufficient to con- 
firm every one in the opinion that his confinement 
was voluntary, and that they had given him no.-, 
cause of offence. In the mean while Qualpopoca^ 
his son, and five of his captains, were brought to 
Mexico. Montezuma, who persisted in main- 
taining that he had no hand in what they, had done,, 
left to the Spaniards the investigation. of their crime*, 
and the care of inflicting, an. them a proportionate, 
punishment. Cortez, in consequence, summoned 
a council of war,, which proceeded to the trial of 
the unfortunate chiefs, who were found guilty of 
having violated the rights of nations, and con- 
demned: to be burnt alive ! Such was their 

fidelity to their unfortunate sovereign, that they, 
till now, steadfastly averred having received no 
orders for v/hat they had done ; but when the 
dreadful sentence of death was pronounced, their 
courage forsook them, and they afhrmed what they 
had before denied. Cortez, however, unwilling to 
hear farther explanations, ordered them to imme* 
diate execution. 

You, are, without doubt, my children, astc* 
nished at the un-heard-of audacity with which 
Cortez, in the midst of the well-peopled capital of 
a monarch, whose power was far from contempti- 
ble, first rendered himself master of his person, and 
H. 5- thenk 



154 CORTEZ. 

then arrogated to himself a jurisdi&ion which 
could alone appertain to the legislative power of 
the country ; but suspend your astonishment a 
little longer, when you will hear something still 
more worthy of exciting it. 

Cortez, as if resolved to carry the affront given 
, to the humiliated prince to the highest pitch, as also 
the mockery of his former power, in the presence 
of the people, commanded, by his own authority, 
a grand arsenal of the Mexicans, in which a great 
quantity of javelins, bucklers, and other military 
equipage, were preserved, to be emptied, in order 
to eredt with them a funeral pile for the execution 
of those who were probably guilty of no other 
crime than that of having obeyed the orders of 
their lawful sovereign. At length all was pre- 
pared, «and the weapons -so long preserved for the 
defence of the empire, were heaped together, to 
furnish fuel to complete the tragedy. The victims 
were at length brought forth, and innumerable 
spedtators assembled in the utmost consternation. 
In the interval, Cortez, accompanied by some of- 
ficers, and a soldier bearing fetters, entered the 
apartment of Montezuma. He approached him 
with an incensed air, and informed him, that the 
criminals had declared that he, Montezuma, was 
the sole cause of the atrocious a& they had com- 
mitted, 



CORTEX. J 55 

mitted, and that m consequence justice required 
that he also should be punished for the crime he 
had authorised. Scarcely had he pronounced 
these dreadful words, when he turned his back on 
the terrified prince, thus fallen from the height of 
his greatness, and the soldier put on him the igno- 
minious fetters. What do you think of this a£t, my 
children ? 

The children, with disgust and indignation* Oh> 
shameful ! abominable ! 

The Father. Poor Montezuma appeared an- 
nihilated, while mute and confounded he suffered 
them to perform what he had no power to pre- 
vent ; but at length his recolle£tion returning, he 
burst into lamentations and groans, expecting they 
were going to condudt him to the stake. The 
most affedting part of this scene was the condu6i 
of his faithful attendants, who, in silent grief, fell 
at his feet, and bathed them with tears. They 
supported the fetters to lessen their weight, putting 
between them and his skin bits of soft cotton, that 
his limbs, thus profaned, might not feel the pres- 
sure of the iron. This was a scene sufficient to 
draw tears of compassion from the most unfeeling 
spectator. 

The execution of the Mexican chiefs being 
over* Cortez returned, and, approaching Monte- 
zuma 



15S CORTEX. 

zuma with a friendly air, told him, that justice 
was now satisfied,, and that in consequence his 
crime also was effaced. With these words he 
caused his fetters to be taken off. The soul of 
the depressed monarch now experienced a sudden 
transition from the deepest grief to the highest ex- 
cess of joy ; he embraced his persecutor repeatedly*, 
and gave him the most lively assurances of his gra- 
titude for the deliverance he had obtained for him. 
Unfortunate prince ! in the excess of his joy he 
seemed to forget that the man who caused his 
fetters to be removed, was the same who had be- 
fore placed them on his limbs. 

John. I have long wondered what could in- 
duce Cortez to sport thus with the unfortunate 
Montezuma. Was it from mere wickedness ? 

The Father. It is not easy to discover. Per- 
haps his design w r as so far to confound and inti- 
midate the already enfeebled spirit of Montezuma, 
by his boldness and reiterated ill- treatment, as to 
render it susceptible of no courageous resolution. 
In this he succeeded to his wish ; and the security 
and power of the Spaniards in Mexico, appeared 
to be established on a sure foundation. But this 
was not sufficient for the wary Cortez, he was 
constantly projecting the means of opening to him- 
self a free passage out of the city, where he was 

enclosed 



CORTEZ » 157 

enclosed as in an island, ; a passage which should 
be always at his disposal, even should the Mexi- 
cans form the resolution of destroying the bridges 
of the dykes that led. from the city. With this 
design he often conversed with Montezuma on 
the singular construction of the European vessels, 
in order to inspire him with the desire, of seeing 
these extraordinary barks. This end- was soon at- 
tained ; Montezuma was extremely curious to 
behold one of these vessels, and Cortez engaged 
to procure him. that pleasure. By the emperor's 
order a sufficient number of carriers were sent to 
Vera Cruz, to bring to Mexico the wrecks of the 
Spanish vessels which had been, preserved ; others 
were sent into the forests to hew the necessary 
timber ; and, in a short time, the Spanish carpen- 
ters had built two brigantines, on board of which 
the captive monarch was often, taken for his re- 
creation. Cortez made use of these trips to ©5- 
tain a knowledge of the situation of the lake and 
its environs ; information which in the end 
proved of the utmost importance to him* And 
now his enterprising spirit proceeded with bolder 
steps to the entire reduction of the Mexican em- 
pire. He dispatched his officers to different parts 
of the country, as much to discover the extent and 
situation of each province^ as to remark the dis- 
tricts 



158 CQRTEZ+ 

iridis in which gold and silver were to be found* 
He had also the art of persuading Montezuma, on 
different pretexts, to depose the most skilful and 
courageous of his officers, and to replace them by 
others whose ignorance and cowardice left the 
Spaniards nothing to fear from their exertions. At 
length he made the last affi&ing proposition to 
this repeatedly degraded monarch — that of pub- 
licly acknowledging himself vassal to the King of 
Spain, and consenting to pay him an annual tribute 
as a mark of his dependance. 

What could the unfortunate Montezuma do ? 
His liberty, his life itself, was in the hands of 
Cortez ; he was therefore constrained patiently to 
consent to every demand, how humiliating so- 
ever. 

The chiefs of the empire were in consequence 
assembled, when Montezuma recalled to their re- 
membrance the antient prophecy, which was now 
accomplished; and declared to diem, that from this 
time, he should hold himself and his whole empire 
as dependant on the great King of the East, to 
whom the sovereignty, according to the order of 
their common father, belonged. The tears which 
suffused his eyes in pronouncing these words, 
clearly proved how dear the sacrifice he then made 
cost him, A confused murmur rose in the assem- 
bly 



CORTEZ. I5C) 

bly of Mexicans, astonishment and chagrin were 
strongly delineated on every countenance, and a 
general inclination appeared to support by force the 
violated rights of rhe nation and sovereign ; but 
Cortez artfully appeased the commotion, by af- 
firming that the intention of his king was by no 
means to deprive Montezuma of the empire, but 
simply to become its prote£tor. This assurance, 
added to the example of the emperor, w r ho volun- 
tarily submitted, calmed the tumult, and they pro- 
ceeded, without interruption, to the performance 
of all the ceremonies which the Spaniards thought 
proper to exa£k, in order to render the submission 
of Montezuma public and solemn ; after which, 
this unfortunate prince confirmed his homage to 
the King of Spain by a considerable present, and 
summoned the caciques of every distri<Sk to do 
the same. 



DIALOGUE X. 



JL HE Father. Cortez now proceeded to a dis- 
tribution of the treasures that had been amassed ; 
be caused ajl the gold dust and ornaments to be 

melted 



i§3 cortex. 

melted into mgots,. and found that the weight 
amounted to six hundred thousand marks. 

Theophilus. A silver mark, of Lubec or Deiu 
mark ?. 

The Father. Neither. When we speak of a 
silver mark we do not understand the money that 
is in currency at Hamburgh or in Denmark, and 
which bears that name ;. but a weight of eight 
ounces, or half a pound. Six hundred thousand 
marks, therefore, make three hundred thousand 
pounds weight ; but the money would amount to 
no more than five hundred marks, or two hundred 
and fifty pounds* 

Theophilus. Gold is then at Mexico more 
common than silver ? 

The Father. Not at present ; but the reason 
why the Mexicans had then more gold than silver 
was, because gold was more frequently found pure 
than silver. Perhaps, however, you do not knows 
what is meant by pure silver ? 

Theophilus. Oh, yes, father ; when it is founds 
without any mixture, 

The Father. You are right, — silver is usually 
taken from the mines in the gross metal, and is 
first by means of fire purified from the heteroge- 
neous matters that are mixed-with it; but this art 
was entirely unknown to the Mexicans. The gold 

and 



CORTEZ. I6l 

and silver they possessed nature herself purified, 
and they had only simply to colle6l it; yet even in 
this research, which was made in the sands of the 
rivers, and in the earth of the gold mines, they 
worked with extreme negligence, because gold had 
not with them the value we attach to it. They 
made use of it only for different sorts of ornaments, 
and even for this they took little trouble to seek it. 
For this reason, the quantity of gold that was 
amassed, and now to be divided, was not nearly 
sufficient to satisfy the cupidity of the Spaniards. — 
Cortez divided the whole treasure into five parts ; 
the first he destined to the King of Spain, the se- 
cond he kept for himself, as general, according to 
former precedents, the third was reserved to indem- 
nify those who had supported the expence of the 
equipment for the enterprise, and the two other 
parts were divided among the troops. The por- 
tion allotted to each soldier or sailor was not there- 
fore so considerable as was expe6ted, and this 
caused a general murmur; but Cortez immediately 
giving up a part of his share to satisfy the wishes 
of his men, their discontent subsided. 

The unfortunate Montezuma had, as I have 
before told you, acceded to all the demands of his 
persecutor, how hard and humiliating soever. In 
one point only Cortez found him firm and ua- 

shaken ? 



l§2 



CORTEX. 



shaken, this was upon what regarded his own and 
the rehgious faith of his people ; a subject upon 
which neither flatteries nor menaces could induce 
him to alter his sentiments. In vain Cortez, ani- 
mated with his usual zeal, essayed all his elo- 
quence to impress him with a sense of the ab- 
surdity and horror of the idolatrous worship, and 
to enforce the miid dodtrines of Christianity \ he 
remained inflexible, and the conversation always 
terminated with the request that he would spare 
him the pain of demands of this nature. At length 
Cortez became so far incensed, that he was re- 
solved to attack the idolatry of the Mexicans, not 
only by argument but by the sword. With this 
design he condudted his troops to the principal 
temple, intending to overthrow the idols, and to 
destroy every thing that had any relation to their 
worship ; but, to his great astonishment, he found 
the numerous body of priests under arms ready to 
shed the last drop of their blood in defence of the 
idols, — he also observed a large band of armed 
Mexicans advance to support them, and could not 
but acknowledge that in this instance his zeal had 
carried him beyond his prudence. He contented 
himself, therefore, with substituting in the place 
of one idol, which he had thrown from its niche, 
an image of the Virgin Mary, and remitted to a 

more 



CORTEZ, 163 

more favourable opportunity his enthusiastic pro- 
jedt of conversion. 

This incident at once opened the eyes of the 
Mexicans ; they now saw ciearly what they had 
to expefk from the audacity of those strangers for- 
merly so revered, and began to reflect on the 
means of driving them from the city, and of free- 
ing themselves from their yoke. The priests and 
the chiefs of the nation, who now, in greater 
numbers than before, had frequent secret confer- 
ences with the captive emperor, cried aloud for 
vengeance for the affront offered to their gods, and 
the fate of Montezuma became still more critical 
and dangerous. What resolution could he take ? 
or whither have recourse for redress ?— Should he 
appeal to his subjedls, he would incur the danger 
of being murdered by his persecutors, in whose 
power he remained, — and to apply for protection 
to his oppressors he had reason to fear the revolt 
of his whole empire ; besides which, their conduct 
towards him had sufficiently shewn what he might 
expecft from their generosity or friendship. Thus 
undecided, like a feeble reed before the wind, 
having long be€n agitated by contending interests, 
he at length took courage, and resolved to pursue 
the middle path, which prudence suggested to him 
as the most safe. With this design he sent for 

Cortex 



1 64 eORTEZ. 

Cortez, who having conceived some distrust from 
the secret interviews of his illustrious captive with 
the priests and chiefs of the empire, took the pre- 
caution of attending his summons accompanied by- 
twelve of his bravest men. His suspicions increased 
on entering the apartment of Montezuma, and 
reading in his countenance an expression of gloom 
he had never before perceived; he was still more 
surprised when Montezuma, taking his hand, and 
drawing him aside, observed to him in an autho- 
ritative and almost menacing tone, " that since the 
end for which his sovereign had sent him was now 
fully accomplished, he hoped he would think of 
hastening his departure." 

This unexpected discourse, and still more the 
gloomy air that accompanied it, and the resolute 
tone in which it was pronounced, alarmed Cortez 
so far, that he turned to his officers, and gave 
them a secret order immediately to put all his men 
under arms ; then, resuming his usual firmness, he 
answered the monarch with an, air of indifference, 
that he desired nothing more ardently than to re- 
turn to his country,. — but that; his. vessels having 
been destroyed,, as he (Montezuma) well knew, he 
must first huild others, and prayed him to grant 
him the necessary succours. Montezuma was 
TOabl§ to conceal the excess of his joy at this un- 
hoped-for. 



CORTEX. 105 

hoped-for reply ; he threw himself on the neck of 
the genera], overwhelmed him with caresses, and 
assured him this declaration was sufficient to sa- 
tisfy the gods, and his subjefls, who equally in- 
sisted on the departure of the Spaniards. This 
reply informed Cortez of the true sentiments of the 
priests with a degree of certainty that gave him 
uneasiness, and he thought himself under a ne- 
cessity of averting the threatened danger, and se- 
curing the success of his enterprise, by carefully 
continuing to conceal his real intentions. With 
this design, he gave public orders to build some 
vessels with the utmost dispatch; but he privately 
commanded his carpenters to retard the completion 
of them as much as possible by every obstacle that 
they could raise, in the hope that during that time 
the reinforcement he expe£ted from Spain would 
arrive. But, as if the vengeance of heaven pur- 
sued this unjust proceeding, an event happened 
soon after, which suddenly plunged Cortez in the 
most desperate situation. 

Montezuma one day sent for him in haste, and 
shewed him a pi£lure drawn after the Mexicap. 
manner upon white cotton, representing eighteen 
European vessels. This picture had been brought 
to the emperor by his messengers, with the news 

that 



166 CORTEZ. 

that the vessels there represented were at anchor 
on his coasts. 

Cortez was transported with this intelligence, 
for he flattered himself that the vessels brought 
him the expe&ed reinforcement from Spain, with 
the confirmation from the court of his ap- 
pointment of governor of the countries he had dis- 
covered* But what was his astonishment, when 
he received intelligence, some days after, from San- 
doval, resident governor of Vera Cruz, the dis~ 
tressing tidings that the squadron arrived had been 
equipped by Valasquez, in order to take him and 
ins partisans prisoners, and to convey them to 
Cuba, as traitors deserving punishment ! The 
manner in which Valasquez had obtained intelli- 
gence of their station was this : Cortez, as you 
must remember, dispatched one of his vessels to 
Spain, with the specimens he had amassed of the 
riches of Mexico, and at the same ti rife to obtain 
the royal assent to his government of these coun- 
tries. MonHo and Portocarrero, the commanders 
of this vessc, received express orders from Cortez 
not to touch at the Isle of Cuba in their passage ; 
they were, on the contrary, to leave this island g\\ 
the right as much as possible, and turn the point 
of Florida (observe it on the first map) by the 
canal of Bahama ; the passage between Florida 

and 



CORTEZ. l6)f 

and the Bahama isles is so called. Montejo, who 
had possessions in Cuba, so far forgot his duty, 
as to negledt the command of his general, in order 
to enjoy the pleasure of visiting his estate before 
he sailed for Spain. Scarcely had he appeared on 
the coast, when Valasquez, who, since the de- 
parture of Cortez, had been a prey to rage, repent- 
ance, and jealousy, dispatched two well-armed 
vessels to seize the ship and all its crew, but they 
were happily informed of their danger time enough 
to escape, and continued their voyage to Spain 
without interruption. Valasquez* rage was now 
inflamed to the highest pitch, and he resolved to 
equip a powerful fleet, in order to seek out Cortez 
in what place soever he should be, and wreak on 
him the severity of his vengeance. While he was 
preparing this equipment, he received news from 
Spain that the vessel which had escaped him was 
safely arrived, and at the same time was informed 
of the country where Cortez was, and of the suc- 
cess of his expedition. The equipment of the fleet 
was now carried on with greater ardour ; it was 
composed of eighteen vessels, having on board 
eight hundred foot, eighty horsemen, and twelve 
cannon, a force truly formidable for that time, and 
that part of the world, and nearly doubling that of 
Cortez, 

The 



l6S CORTEZ. 

The fleet being ready, the command, with 
the title of sub-governor of the countries discovered 
by Cortez, was given to Narvaez, an officer of 
great courage, but passionate and irreconcileable. 
The unexpected arrival of this fleet was the intel- 
ligence Cortez had just received. And now, my 
children, endeavour to represent to yourselves the 
perilous condition of our hero, whose situation be- 
came every day more critical. He must either 
march to the encounter of an European army 
twice as powerfulas his own, or abandon Mexico, 
and renounce all the advantages which he had ac- 
quired at tnje expence of so many fatigues and 
dangers. But how could he hope to vanquish an 
enemy equal to him in courage and military know- 
ledge, far his superior in numbers, and whose sol* 
diers were in their full vigour? Yet to wait for 
them at Mexico, was to expose himself at once to 
the danger of being attacked, at the same time, by- 
two enemies equally formidable ; it being more than 
probable that as soon as the Mexicans discovered 
the Spaniards were in danger, they would take up 
arms against them,— or, to -conclude, should he 
voluntarily surrender himself, and submit to the 
judgment of a man who thirsted for his blood? in 
this case his ruin was inevitable. While he was 
in this state of uncertainty, he every day received 

intelligence 



CORTEZ. l6(J 

intelligence that increased his embarrassment; he 
learnt that some of his soldiers had deserted to the 
army of Narvaez, and had informed that com- 
mander of all that was necessary to forward the 
success of his enterprise. — He also understood that 
Narvaez had caused it to be published that Cortez 
and his whole army were traitors, who, without 
•the knowledge or order of their sovereign, had set 
out upon the expedition of subduing the Mexicans; 
that the newly arrived army was sent to chastise 
the injustice of this fugitive banditti, to Load them 
with chains, and afterwards to carry them to their 
own country to receive the punishment due to 
their enormous crimes,— that in consequence he, 
Narvaez, not only invited Montezuma, who had 
been so ill treated, but the whole nation to make 
it a common cause, and to assist him in rendering 
himself master of this audacious band of robbers. 

It is easy to judge how agreeable this news 
must be to Montezuma and his subjects, whose 
resentment was already raised to a very high pitch. 
Their joy and haste to lend an assisting hand to 
Narvaez were but too visible ; one thing only em* 
barrassed and prevented their shewing, by open 
hostilities, their ardent inclination to free them- 
selves from these odious strangers, this was the air 
of confidence and composure which Cortez pre- 
1 served 



tfQ CORTEZ. 

served through the whole. The strong mind of 
this extraordinary man maintained such an empire 
over his exterior, that it was impossible to observe 
the least sign of inquietude or chagrin, either in 
his countenance or manner, how great soever the 
uneasiness which his dangerous situation necessa* 
rily caused him. With the calmest and most con- 
firmed air he contradicted the reports which Nar- 
vaezhad circulated to his disadvantage, and averred 
that the Europeans just arrived were his friends, 
subje&s of the samm sovereign, and that in a short 
time the Mexicans would see the two armies de- 
part in peace and friendship. But, however con- 
fident and composed Cortez outwardly appeared, 
his mind was not the less agitated and uneasy ; he 
employed all the sagacity of which he was master 
to investigate the measures it was prudent for him 
to take, and after having well weighed every cir- 
cumstance, he resolved to pursue the path equally 
pointed out by his discernment and courage. This 
was, first to attempt an amicable accommodation 
with Narvaez, and, if this did not succeed, cou- 
rageously to oppose him. 

These overtures were accordingly made, but 
proved ineffectual; the haughty Narvaez would 
listen to no accommodation, regarding it as ex- 
tremely easy to render himself master of Cortez 

and 



eORTEZ* 17 1 

&nd his small army. No other alternative was 
therefore left our hero than to defend himself as 
well as he was able, and for this he immediately- 
prepared. He nominated Alvarado, a brave of- 
ficer, particularly respected by the Mexicans, go- 
vernor of Mexico and of a hundred and fifty men, 
whom he resolved to leave there, expressly com- 
manding him to maintain peace and tranquillity 
during his absence, and to behave with all possible 
respect toward Montezuma, who, of his own 
accord, had promised to remain under the guard 
of the Spaniards till Cortez should return. And 
now, my children, behold this daring adventurer 
ready to march with the small remnant of his 
divided army to meet an enemy infinitely his su- 
perior in numbers, and at the same time animated 
with implacable hatred towards his person. — But 
it grows late, we will defer his departure till to- 
morrow morning. 



DIALOGUE XI. 



Tt. 



HE Father. Come, children, let us attend 
Cortez on an expedition which has disappearance 
of being the last tragic scene of his life. 

1 2 Charlotte. 



172 CORTEZ* 

Charlotte. Oh, poor Cortez! 

The Father. Narvaez had advanced to Cera- 
poalla, and Sandoval had confided the colony of 
Vera Cruz to the care of the Indians, his allies, 
with the view of endeavouring to re-unite his 
little band with that of Cortez, who advanced with 
the rapidity of an arrow to meet him. They 
joined within twelve miles of Cempoalla ; but not- 
withstanding this junftion, the whole army con- 
sisted only of two hundred and fifty men. — A 
wretched force indeed, when compared with that 
of his adversary! but the intrepidity of Cortez re- 
mained unshaken, and he steadily persevered in 
his determination of marching resolutelv towards 
the enemy. In order to acquit himself to his own 
conscience, and, if possible, to avoid bloodshed, 
Cortez twice renewed his overtures to Narvaez 
for an amicable accommodation ; but his propo- 
sitions were each time rejected with haughtiness 
and contempt. He even learnt that this irrecon- 
cilable enemy had set a price upon his head, in 
the hope of inducing some traitor in his army to 
make an attempt on his life; but Cortez was too 
well assured of the afFe&ion and fidelity of his 
soldiers, to be alarmed at the inglorious conduct of 
his adversary. On the contrary, he advanced 
courageously towards Cempoalla, and was not 

more 



CORTEZ* i73 

♦riore than a mile from it when Narvaez, incensed 
at this boldness in an- enemy whom he despised, 
resolved without delay to give him battle, and ac- 
cordingly marched forward to the encounter ; but 
so great a quantity of rain had fallen that day, and 
Cortez was placed so advantageously on the op- 
posite side of a river, that Narvaez found it im- 
possible to attack him on account of the great 
overflowing of the water. His troops, who were 
not accustomed to the country, and who, had their 
inclinations been consulted, would rather have 
served under Cortez than their present commander, 
murmured so loudly, that he was constrained to- 
wards evening to return to Cempoalla, 

Cortez, according to his usual manner of re- 
solving, and executing what he had resolved with 
dispatch, formed the sudden but well-digested reso- 
lution of putting an end to the war that very night, 
either by his own or the destruction of his adver- 
sary. He determined to fall unawares upon the 
enemy during the obscurity of a rainy night, hop- 
ing from the confident negligence of Narvaez, and 
the indolence of his soldiers, who were not yet 
inured to war, that in such a night they would be 
less on their guard. 

He therefore assembled his little band, disco- 
vered to them the attack he meditated, and to his 
1 3 V great 



l74 • CORTEZ. 

great satisfa&ion found that no persuasion was 
wanting to excite them to the perilous attempt, 
each testifying his ardour to be led on to the en- 
counter. Cortez divided his army into three se- 
parate corps ; one of which he gave to the com- 
mand of Sandoval, another to Olid, and placed 
himself at the head of the third. 

The night proved dark and stormy; the river, 
which was now swelled above its banks, equalled 
the roaring of an impetuous torrent, and there was 
no other means of gaining the opposite side than 
by fording it. The danger of being drowned was. 
great, but too inconsiderable to stop the progress 
of men of such determined courage. Cortez first 
leaped into the water, and his men with joy and 
confidence followed the example of so brave a 
commander. They waded up to the neck in 
water, but happily all arrived safe on the other 
side. 

Wet as they were, they arranged themselves 
In order of battle, and marched towards Cempoalla 
in profound silence, each armed with a sword, a 
poniard, and a long Indian pike. This last wea* 
pon was to be used against the cavalry of the 
enemy, the wary general conceiving it as parti- 
cularly calculated for that purpose. 

What 



CORTEZ. 175 

What Cortez had foreseen happened ; Nar- 
vaez had been so negligently incautious as to 
leave only at the outposts two sentinels, — one of 
these was surprised and made prisoner, and the 
other, impelled by terror, fled to the city, and gave 
the alarm. — But, astonishing to relate ! Narvaez, 
from a weak confidence in his own strength, and 
a contempt still more absurd for his enemy, car- 
ried his folly so far, as to interpret the information 
of the sentinel as the effedl of cowardice and a 
deranged understanding, considering it ridiculous 
in the highest degree to imagine that Cortez, with 
his handful of men, would presume to attack him. 
In the mean while the horrible sound of war was 
heard, and Cortez, with his brave companions, 
rushed like a storm into the city, which they filled 
with consternation and terror. Narvaez too late 
discovered his error, and endeavoured to repair it 
by arming with all diligence. He had posted 
himself and his army in a spacious temple, and its 
environs; but the enemy fell upon it so suddenly, 
and with such fury, that they were unable to re- 
pulse Him by a single cannon. Sandoval, who 
commanded the advanced guard, fell upon the 
artillery with irresistible force, and pursued the 
enemy, who fought in disorder, to the verv top of 
the temple steps. Here a furious and obstinate 
I 4 combat 



l/t> t'QRTEZ. 

combat began; Narvaez, who was in the temple, 
animated his soldiers both by his voice and ex- 
ample, and Sandoval still continued to force them 
to retreat. Olid seconded him, and Cortez him- 
self, at that moment forgetting that he was general, 
leaped boldly to the front of the battle, and ani- 
mated his men with fresh ardour. In the midst of 
this furious engagement it occurred to one of 
Cortez's soldiers to throw fire on the roof of the 
temple, which was covered with reeds. In a few 
minutes it was in a blaze; and Narvaez, con- 
strained to avoid the flames, fought obrtinately at 

-the head of his men to open himself a passage 
through the enemy, but at that instant he received 
so terrible a wound in the eye with the point of a 

'lance, that he fell insensible to the earth. Sandoval 
dragged him, apparently dead, to the foot of the 
steps, and ordered him to be placed in security be- 
vond the tumult of the battle. During this time 
the conquerors burst into triumphant exclamations 
of joy; and the party whose general was made 
prisoner was thrown into such consternation, that 
their resistance became more and more leeble, and 
their entire defeat every instant more certain. 

Cortez ordered the cannon to be pointed against 
the temple, and proclaimed aloud that their lives 
kJiotrW arisWer a longer resistance; but that, on 

the 



CORTEX. 177 

the contrary, those who would voluntarily sur- 
render, should obtain pardon. This declaration, 
and a circumstance which happened very a-propos 
for Cortez, induced this corps, though three times 
more numerous than his own, to throw down their 
arms and surrender. 

Nicholas. What could possess them to a£t in 
so dastardly a manner ? 

The Father. The troops of Narvaez, perceived:, 
through the obscurity of the night, an innume- 
rable quantity of small lights, resembling lighted 
matches, which led them to imagine that Cortez 
was supported by a large body of arquebusiers 9 
who were advancing to his assistance ; for in those 
days guns were not fired in the manner they 
are now, by means of a flint, but by lighted 
matches.* 

Frederic. But what were the lights that de- 
ceived them? 

The Father. Did you ever hear of fire-flies? 

Frederic. Oh, yes ; little inserts, which in 

the dark appear like fire*. 

I 5 The 

* The fire-fly, 'or fulgora candelaria, are very nu- 
merous in the West Indies, and other hot climates. Pere 
du Turtre affirms, that in dark nights they sparkle like 
stars, but in the day have only the appearance of dirty 
beetles, and delight to be among rotten wood, till the 
sun is set, when they fly here and there, seeming to be 

so 



178 COUTEZ. 

The Father. Well, it was these inse&s that 
were mistaken for lighted matches. 

Charles. But as the soldiers had been some 
time in America, I should think they must have 
had frequent opportunities of observing these fire- 
flies. 

The Father. Your observation is certainly 
just; but they were probably too inattentive and 
negligent to have remarked them. This incident, 
my children, should prove to you the utility of that 
important precept, that how trifling soever a 
thing may at first sight appear, we should never 
suffer it to pass without examination ; but on the 
contrary, if time and opportunity permit, consider 
it with attention, and consult the opinion of men of 
understanding and information. This is the cer- 
tain means of daily improving our rational facul^ 
ties, and acquiring useful knowledge. Do not 
forget that the negligence of this precept was the 
chief cause of a considerable band of well armed 

warriors 

so many lighted candles carried in the woods by invi- 
sible hands. They will pursue the light of a candle, or 
any thing that sparkles and shines^ with so much ar- 
dour, that, like our mc*hs, they frequently kill them- 
selves. While they are alive, and iu full health, a flame 
seems to proceed from all parts of their body $ but when 
they are sick it grows weak, and when they die it is 
quite extinguished. They live but fifteen days, or thr.e* 
•weeks at most ? after being caught 



CORTEX. 179 

warriors shamefully yielding themselves prisoners 
to a handful of daring adventurers. Cortez caused 
his prisoners to be treated with the greatest huma- 
nity ; he even made them presents, and left it 
entirely to their choice to serve under him or to 
return to Cuba. Affeited with this generosity, 
which could never have been more judiciously 
employed, they almost unanimously preferred the 
first ; and Cortez had the good fortune to behold 
himself delivered from the greatest danger with 
which he had ever been threatened, and at the same 
time to see his little army augmented to the num- 
ber of eight hundred fresh and well armed soldiers; 
an increase which appeared to raise his power, 
before considerable for this part of the world, to 
the highest pitch. 

Narvaez,. when he recovered his senses, was 
overwhelmed with shame and grief, on perceiving 
himself in fetters, and in the power of an enemy 
he had treated with such contempt. Cortez was 
desirous of seeing him, yet, fearing his presence 
might be construed into an insulting triumph^ he 
wished- to remain unknown ; but this- intention, 
was frustrated by the respe& his soldiers paid him 
on entering the apartment of his prisoner. The 
haughty Narvaez, on this discovery, , turned dis- 
dainfully, saying, "* Truly,. Captain, you have 

reason 



180 CORTEZ. 

reason to exult, since you have been successful 
enough to take me prisoner/' This ill-timed arro- 
gance deserved a check, and Cortez replied, — 
*' Whatever God decrees is right ; but I can with 
great truth assure you, that I consider the capture 
of yourself, Narvaez, among the meanest of my 
actions, and most inconsiderable of my viitories." 
He then caused him to be doubly ironed, and 
conducted to Vera Cruz for farther safety. 

Cortez had but a few hours exulted in so 
prompt and glorious a victory, when he was sum- 
moned to encounter new perils, which in the in- 
terval had burst forth like a distant storm. An 
express from Mexico arrived with the disagreeable 
news, that the inhabitants of that city had univer- 
sally revolted against the Spaniards who were left 
there, and that it was with difficulty Alvarada 
sustained himself in the fortress against them. 
Nay, Montezuma himself had sent one of his 
people to entreat Cortez to hasten his return, in 
order to quell the insurredtion. With respeft to 
the true cause of this tumult, I am not able to in- 
form you with certainty, as I find the different 
accounts of historians too trifling and contradic- 
tory to be relied on. The most probable conclu* 
sion is, that it proceeded from the insolent and 
violent conduit of the Spaniards that were left in 

Mexico, 



CORTEX. 181 

Mexico. Whatever might be the cause, the dan- 
ger was so great and pressing, that Cortez had 
not a moment to lose in affording succour to his 
harassed countrymen, and he had every reason to 
esteem himself fortunate in having so happily de- 
feated Narvaez before he was recalled to Mexico 
by this unfortunate event. 

At the head of his now formidable army, he 
marched with the greatest expedition towards the 
capital, by the way of Tlascala, where the faithful 
"Tlascalans offered him a reinforcement of all their 
troops. He accepted only two thousand men, 
expressing his gratitude in the warmest terms for 
the continuance of their friendship. He had', in- 
deed, the greater reason to prize their fidelity, as 
he had observed a material alteration in the senti- 
ments of the inhabitants of the other districts 
through which he was obliged to pass. He was 
received every where with coldness and reserve, 
and found a great abatement in that eagerness with 
which the natives formerly pressed forward to sup- 
ply his army with provisions. From this he judged 
that the inhabitants of Mexico were not the only 
malecontents, but that a hatred of the Spaniards 
and a spirit of revolt were equally diffused through- 
out the nation. This put him much more on his 
guard in his march to Mexico, but the good for- 
tune 



182 CORTEZ. 

tune of the Spaniards and the supineness of the 
Mexicans, rendered his precaution unnecessary ; 
for, though nothing could have been more easy 
than to cut off his retreat to Mexico, and have 
prevented the sortie of the Spaniards he had left in 
the garrison, by simply destroying the bridges of 
the dykes, the inhabitants of that city were too 
senseless to avail themselves of these advantages. 
Cortez found the bridges as he had left them, safe 
and unguarded — so that nothing opposed the en- 
tering with his army. But how different was this 
entry from that he had made when he was first 
received into the capital ! There was now 
scarcely any person to receive him, no one ad- 
vanced to admire, no one uttered a joyful excla- 
mation ; a melancholy silence reigned throughout all 
the streets, which were entirely deserted ; and not 
one, even of Alvarado's associates, appeared till 
the army arrived at the Spanish quarter. Here it 
was that the two parties met, with the most heart- 
felt satisfaction. Alvarado and his soldiers were 
transported to behold themselves, as it were, de- 
livered from the most imminent danger, and 
Cortez and his men were equally so with the joy 
of their victory, and again returning to their com- 
panions ; even Montezuma himself, who had con* 
tinned true to his promise of not leaving the Spa- 
nish 



CORTEZ. !8'3= 

Eish quarter, appeared sincerely to anticipate in 
the general satisfaction. Cortez then inquired into 
all that had passed in his absence, and understood 
that the Mexicans, excited by the imprudent and 
oppressive conduct of the Spaniards, had taken up 
arms. Neither their own personal danger, nor 
that of their captive, prince, had prevented their 
courageously and repeatedly assaulting the Spa- 
nish quarter, where Alvarado, with his little band, 
had, with the utmost difficulty, repulsed their at- 
tacks. They had burnt the two brigantines, killed 
four of the Spaniards, and wounded a greater num.- 
ber. The total ruin of the remainder must una- 
voidably have followed, had it not been prevented 
by the speedy return, of their victorious general.— 
Cortez, with the considerable forces he had 
brought, and the respefit the Mexicans preserved 
for his person might, undoubtedly, with little dif- 
ficulty, have composed their irritated spirits, and 
appeased the sedition, if he had not on a sudden 
absurdly changed. the conduct he had usually pur- 
sued. Intoxicated with the extraordinary, success 
which had hitherto attended him, he appeared to 
regard every new peril, with the utmost contempt, 
considering it no longer of importance to conceal 
his real designs. From this period, it is said, he 
Heated Montezuma himself with, the most unpaid 

donable 



184 CORTEX. 

donable disrespedt ; and his former prudence ap- 
peared so far to have forsaken him, that, to the 
just indignation of an incensed people, he opposed 
only haughtiness and contempt. Cortez, in this 
instance, my children, affords us a striking ex- 
ample of the errors into which even the best men 
may fall, when corrupted by a continuance of 
success. Then it h that they bid adieu to genero- 
sity, that their reason is clouded, and that they 
give themselves up to excesses of which they be- 
fore seemed incapable. So true it is, that man in 
his present state is not formed for the enjoyment of 
a perfedl and continued felicity, and that an entire 
gratification of his wishes would ultimately prove 
his destrudtion, Too much prosperity has the 
same effeft on the soul that excess of strong 
liquors has upon the body, enervating and cor- 
rupting at once the health and the judgment ; 
while, on the contrary, adversity and sorrow are 
ta a mind empoisoned with self-importance, as 
salutary and strengthening as Jesuit's bark to the 
body, weakened and exhausted by disease. Ob- 
serve this, my dear children, that you may, during 
life, be on your guard, when any extraordinary 
success happens to you, and avoKi murmuring, 
should the hand of a wise and merciful Providence 
sometimes present to you the chalice of affii&ion ; 

drink 



coxtez* 185 

A- ink the bitter draught without repining, re- 
membering, that it will strengthen you in virtue, 
But enough for to-day. 



DIALOGUE XII. 



M 



. Y dear children, said their father, when his 
young auditors were again assembled, I could wish 
here to finish my narrative, or that another should 
take my place, and recount to you the sequel. 

Some of the children exclaim. Why so ? 

The Father. Because the events in which my 
hero is concerned become every instant more dark 
and horrible ; and it gives me pain to have nothing 
from this period to describe to you but war, mur- 
ders, and devastation. 

Peter. But still, dear father, this horrid picture 
will have its use. 

The Father. How so ? Where will be the 
end of shocking your ears with such a recital ? 

Peter. It w T ill prove an example, dear father* 
to deter us froip a£ting in the same manner whea 
we grow up. 

The Father. There is certainly some justice 
in what you urge ; and since you are willing ta 

profit 



1&6 CORTEZ. 

profit by the sequel of my history, sanguinary and 
horrid as it is, and think it will incite you to the 
pra£tice of the mild and amiable virtues of to- 
lerance, and especially of humanity, I will pro- 
ceed. 

The Children. O, dear father ! 

The Father. Cortez flattered himself that by 
employing force he should easily curb the spirit of 
the revolted Mexicans ; he therefore sent Ordaz, 
one of his bravest officers, with a body of four 
hundred men, part Spaniards and part Tlascalans, 
to see if the people were at this time quiet, or if 
they were preparing for fresh attacks. Ordaz, at 
the head of his men, entered upon his commission ; 
but he had not proceeded far through the streets 
before he was met by an armed band of Mexicans. 
His design being to take some of them prisoners, 
in order to draw from them the intelligence lie 
wanted, he immediately advanced towards them ; 
but they, instead of staying to defend themselves, 
kept retreating* not from cowardice, as it after- 
wards appeared, but by order of their commander, 
who was endeavouring to draw the Spanish cap- 
tain and his whole band into an ambuscade. 
This plan succeeded ; Ordaz pursued the fugitives 
to a part of the city, where, on a sudden, he 
found himself surrounded and assaulted on a: V sides 

by 



CORTEX. 187 

by innumerable enemies. Even the roofs of the 
houses were covered with adversaries, who sent 
from thence so violent a shower of stones, arrows, 
and javelins, that the air was darkened. Fortu- 
nately in this moment of unexpected danger Ordaz 
lost neither his courage nor presence of mind, but 
was capable of arranging his little band, pressed 
as it was on all sides, in the position which his 
present circumstances rendered most judicious ; 
he immediately formed what is called a square bdt~ 
iallon. You know what that is ? 

Some of the Children. To be sure we do ; we 
have often formed it ourselves when we have been 
exercising. 

The Father. On the sides of this square he 
placed those who bore lances, and in the centre 
arranged others who were armed with musqiiets. 
The first were to receive the enemy with their 
pikes, and the last to fire on the assailants, who 
were on the roofs of the houses, and at the win- 
dows ; in this position he lost not an instant, but 
rushed among the thickest of the enemy. It was 
not long before the Mexicans gave way ; Ordaz 
cut his passage through them, and after a great 
carnage, at length regained the Spanish quarter. 
One Spaniard and eight Tlascalans were killed in 
this engagement* and Ordaz himself, and the 

greater 



188 CORTEZ. 

greater part of his men, were wounded. After 
this signal defeat, it was hoped that the Mexicans 
would not have courage to renew hostilities ; but 
scarcely had the victorious band regained the fort, 
when the enemy was perceived pouring like a 
torrent from afar, in innumerable bands, to make 
a general attack. 

Cortez immediately prepared far his defence, 
and an engagement ensued, which for obstinacy 
and carnage has not perhaps its equal in the an- 
nals of history. The Mexicans, apparently re- 
solved to conquer or die, rushed forward with such 
horrid cries, accompanied by the noise of their 
horns and drums, that the thunder of the cannon 
could scarcely be distinguished* Some kept up a 
continual shower of arrows and stones, while 
others, with a visible contempt of death, attempted 
to scale the walls, or render themselves masters of 
the gates. They mounted upon the shoulders of 
each other, to gain the top of the wall - y and as 
they were thrown from thence dsad or wounded, 
their places were immediately supplied by others, 
whose fury .was such that they pressed forward 
over heaps of the slain and wounded, to suppljr 
the voids, Notwithstanding the havoc made by 
the musquetry and artillery, they continued the 
assault, till at length, after a horrid carnage, their 

superstition 



CORTEi. l8() 

•superstition constrained them to put an end to the 
contest; for night approached, and after sunset 
their religion obliges thern to leave the field. The 
Spaniards were not however the more tranquil 
during the night; for although the Mexicans, ac- 
cording to their superstitious notions, dared not 
continue the combat, they found means to set fire 
to the buildings in which the Spaniards were 
lodged, and it cost the latter incredible pains to 
prevent the conflagration reducing the whole to 
ashes. The Spaniards, fatigued with the combat 
of the evening and with the toils of the night, were- 
nevertheless obliged at day-break to resume their 
posts, in order to be ready to sustain a new attack. 
But spare me, my children, the pain of reciting, 
and yourselves of listening to, the detail of a scene 
whose horrors were at least equal to the former. 
It is enough to inform you* that the rage of this 
irritated nation was unappeased, although their 
every attempt to carry the Spanish fort proved 
fruitless, and Cortez in several sorties that he cou- 
rageously made had extended thousands on' the 
•earth, and reduced a part of their city to ashes. I 
shall now without farther delay proceed to an event 
which will excite all your compassion, and which 
I cannot myself unmoved recount to you. 

Cortez 



1Q0 CORTEZ. 

Cortez had experienced the fate of the greater 
part of his soldiers, that is to say, he had been 
wounded. His left hand had been pierced with an 
arrow, and he profited by this accident to with- 
draw to his chamber, in order to gain a few mi- 
nutes to reflect on his critical situation, and on the 
manner of extricating himself; but the sound of a 
new alarm in several parts of the fortress inter- 
rupted his reflection, the Mexicans running in 
crowds to make a second assault. He returned 
therefore to the battle, and soon perceived that his 
presence was never more necessary, for the enemy 
now strove to force an entry at every practicable 
place, and fought with greater obstinacy than on 
the preceding days ; so that Cortez had need of all 
his presence of mind and activity to issue orders 
necessary for the general defence. In the mean 
time, during the heat of the action, the unfor- 
tunate Montezuma formed the resolution, some 
say of his own accord, and others at the instigation 
of the Spaniards, of attempting to put a stop to the 
slaughter, by appearing before his enraged sub- 
jects arrayed in all the pomp under which he had 
formerly been venerated even to adoration. Ac- 
cordingly he put on his imperial mantle and crown, 
and decorated himself with precious stones, which 
he never made use of but on solemn occasions, 

and * 



cortex. ] g I 

'and thus attired went out accompanied by the 
principal Mexicans, who were about his person. 
One of these mounted the wall, and announced to 
the astonished people the arrival of their sovereign, 
who was ready to hear their complaints, and re- 
concile their differences with the strangers. At 
the name of Montezuma the combatants ceased, 
and kept a respectful silence. The unfortunate 
monarch then himself ascended the wall, and his 
presence produced on the multitude the hoped for 
effecSt; all appeared impressed with the deepest 
awe and reverence, some falling on their knees, 
others prostrating themselves and kissing the earth, 
Montezuma took a general view of the crowd, in 
order to discover those on whom he had the 
greatest influence; and to these he called by name. 
He then with the greatest affability thanked the 
multitude for the affecSlion they had shewn to his 
person, and for their zeal for his liberty ; but as- 
sured them, if they thought him a prisoner they 
were in an error— that his residence in the Spanish 
quarter was far from constrained — that he was 
himself desirous of remaining with the Spaniards, 
as well to inform himself of their customs and 
manners, as to manifest his esteem for the pow- 
erful monarch by whom they were sent — that he 
was however now resolved to leave them, and in 

consequence 



3§2 COnTEZ* 

consequence commanded his people, first granting 
them a general pardon, to lay down their arms and 
return to their homes in peace and tranquillity. A 
silence of some minutes succeeded this discourse, — 
at length a confused murmur arose which by de- 
grees became more distin£t, until like the roaring 
of an encroaching wave it pervaded the whole as- 
sembly, every instant increased, and at length ter- 
minated in seditious outrage; for now these auda- 
cious mutineers, no longer with-held by the respect 
and veneration they once bore to. the sacred person 
of their prince, burst into open complaints, and 
carried their insolence so far as to exclaim, that he 
was no longer Emperor of Mexico, but a base 
wretch, a slave to the enemy of their country ! — 
Montezuma once more endeavoured to renew his 
discourse, and with this intent made a sign with 
his hand ; but all in vain, the noise increased, and 
before he could speak a shower of arrows and 
stones overwhelmed the unfortunate monarch ! 
The two soldiers whom Cortez had placed near 
him endeavoured to cover him with their bucklers ; 
but, alas, it was too late! — The measure of his 
sufferings was complete, he was wounded by se- 
veral arrows, and a stone which unfortunately 
struck him on the head felled him insensibly to the 
earth. Cortez, in the greatest consternation at 

this 



CORTEX* 193 

this melancholy event, immediately caused the un- 
fortunate prince to be carried from the spot, and if 
possible recalled to life. Then animated by rage 
and disappointment, he returned to take a signal 
vengeance on his murderers ; but he arrived too 
late, for the Mexicans no sooner saw their mo- 
iiarch fall, than, struck with astonishment, terror, 
and repentance, they immediately dispersed, as if 
expecting the thunder of heaven to fall and punish 
their crime. 

In the interval the unfortunate Montezuma re- 
turned to his senses; but his situation was then the 
more pitiable. The thought of the treatment he 
had received from his own subjects rendered hira 
frantic, so that it was necessary by force to pre- 
vent his making an attempt upon his life. In vain 
Cortez endeavoured to sooth him ; he refused all 
consolation, and in his rage tore the bandages from 
his wounds to terminate his existence. These vi- 
olent agitations, and an obstinate refusal of all 
sustenance, hastened his end ; he died, amidst the 
curses of his subjedls, and to his last moment tes- 
tified the utmost contempt for the exhortations of 
the Spaniards to embrace the Christian religion. 
Such was the tragical end of a prince, who ap- 
peared destined to afford an example of the incon- 
stancy of fortune. From that high pitch of great- 
K * ncss. 



-194 CORTEZ. 

ness, in which he was venerated almost to idolatry 
by a numerous people, he beheld himself, by the 
arrival of a small band of foreigners, whose very 
existence was unknown, fallen so low as to be- 
come the sport and tool of these invaders, and an 
objedl of contempt and hatred to his own subjects. 
Could any one a year before have believed the 
possibility of such a degradation? This, my 
children, is one of the instances which should 
teach us not to rely on an uninterrupted course of 
good fortune in this w r orld, and at the same time 
it should excite us to acquire treasures which can 
never be taken from us. Do you understand what 
I mean by, these treasures ? 

John. Wisdom and virtue, my dear father. 

The Father. You are right; the sacrifice of a 
whole life is not too great to obtain these mental 
riches, of which death itself cannot deprive us. — 
But now let us return to Mexico. 

While Montezuma remained confined by his 
wounds, his subje&s were perfe£tly quiet; but 
scarcely were his eyes closed, when they proceeded 
to the ele£tion of another sovereign, to re-com- 
mence hostilities against the Spaniards. 

Ferdinand. "Whom did they choose for their 
new emperor? 

The 



CORTEX > 195 

The Father. A brother of Montezuma, named 
Queltavaka, then Cacique of Estapalapa, a city of 
which you are not ignorant. 

Christian. Oh ! I remember ; it is near the 
lake. — Cortez passed it in his way to Mexico. 

The Father. The same. This new emperor 
commenced hostilities against the Spaniards by an 
enterprise which not a little endangered them. He 
posted the choicest of his troops on the roof and in 
the tower of the principal temple, which joined the 
Spanish quarter, and conveyed thither a great 
quantity of stones and beams, which were to be 
Jaunched from thence into the interior court of the 
Spanish quarter. Cortez, who now thought se- 
riously of a retreat, was by this prevented making 
the necessary preparations for his departure; he 
therefore considered it of the last importance to 
dislodge the enemy from a post in which they had 
so much the power of annoying him. The con- 
duct of this enterprise he gave to Escobar, one of 
his bravest officers, whom he placed at the head of 
a seledt band; he himself, in the mean time, with 
the remainder of his troops, was to oppose the 
progress of the enemy in the streets, that those who 
were deputed to scale the temple might not be at- 
tacked in their rear. The plan of attack being 
laid, they immediately prepared to put it in exe- 
K 2 cution. 



I96 CORTEZ* 

cution. Escobar being arrived at ihe foot of the 
steps of the temple, which are said to have a- 
mounted to the number of a hundred, found little 
resistance; but when he began to ascend, and 
reached nearly half way to the top, a large body 
of the enemy suddenly appeared above in the gal- 
lery, and overwhelmed him with so great a quan- 
tity of arrows, stones, and beams, that it was in 
vain to resist them. Three times he had attempted 
an apparent impossibility, and three times had been 
repulsed by an irresistible force ; when Cortez, in- 
formed of his situation, without hesitating leaped 
from his horse, caused his buckler to be fastened 
on his right arm, his left being wounded, and ran 
sword in hand to the steps of the temple. Here he 
called aloud to his soldiers, who, re -animated by 
his voice, and accustomed to victory, followed their 
leader, who pressed forward to a death which ap- 
peared inevitable ; but it pleased heaven to preserve 
the life of this extraordinary man. At the head 
of the most resolute of his men, he rushed into 
the gallery, beat down all* that opposed him, and 
soon gained the platform of the temple, where the 
most distinguished among the Mexicans had as- 
sembled with the firm resolution of meeting death 
or victory. Here began a most bloody combat 
with swords and clubs, in which each endeavoured 

to 



CORTEZ. 1Q7 

to sell his life as clearly as possible. Not a single 
Mexican was there, who did not prefer being 
newn in pieces, to surrendering to the enemy. Some 
leaped voluntarily from the pinnacle of the temple, 
that they might not survive their liberty, and all 
fought with a courage of which there had been 
hitherto no example in the New World. Two 
young Americans, of noble birth, distinguished 
themselves in this engagement by an adh'on which 
deserves a place among the most heroic exploits* 
These young heroes had formed the generous re- 
solution of voluntarily sacrificing themselves for 
the deliverance of their oppressed country; they 
approached Cortez as he was fighting, in an atti- 
tude of supplication, as if they meant to surrender, 
but were no sooner within reach than they seized 
and dragged him towards the pinnacle of the tem- 
ple, from whence they leaped, hoping by their 
weight to drag him with them, and make him a 
partaker in their destruction ; — but Cortez, who 
was strong and agile, caught hold of the gallery, 
and sustained himself so firmly that the young 
Mexicans fell alone. This heroic action, it is 
said, impressed Cortez with the highest admiration, 
as proceeding from a greatness of soul not to be 
expected among a people half savage, and under a 
despotic government. The slaughter did not 
K 3 cease 



I g3 CORTEX. 

cease till the whole garrison was bathed in blood. 
It is asserted that the number of the killed a- 
mounted tc five hundred, all people of the most 
distinguished class, whose patriotism and courage 
must ever be honoured by posterity, although their 
names have not been handed down to us by any 
historian. Cortez was no sooner master of the 
temple, than his adiive and courageous spirit 
prompted him to rush into the streets where his 
men were yet engaged with the enemy ; regardless 
cf his personal safety he remounted his horse, and, 
tying the bridle to his left arm, rushed lance in 
hand among the thickest of the enemy. Unfor- 
tunately his courage carried him so far, that turn- 
ing his horse to look round him he perceived 
between him and his own men so great a multitude 
of enemies, that he himself held it impossible to cut 
his way through them. From this dangerous si- 
tuation his promptitude in expedients and his un- 
shaken courage once more extricated him; for, 
perceiving on one side a path where the enemy 
were less numerous, he darted courageously into 
It, in order to join his men by an indiredl road. — 
But he had soon reason to feel that Providence itself 
inspired him with the resolution, for he had not 
proceeded far before he met a body of the enemy 
conducting Andre Duero his intimate friend, who 

had 



CORTEZ. 1QQ 

had had die misfortune to fall from his horse, to a 
temple, where they were going immediately to sa- 
crifice him to their idols. Cortez hesitated not an 
instant to consider the strength of the enemy, but 
rushed into the midst of them, and put those to 
flight who held his friend captive. Duero was no 
sooner free, than, w r ith a poniard his enemies had 
injudiciously left him, he fell upon those who had 
seized his horse, which he suddenly mounted; and 
the two friends fought with such determined re- 
solution, that they soon had the good fortune to 
join the Spanish corps. It is easy to conceive the 
joy of Cortez in having thus happily delivered his 
friend in such a moment of danger; we are told 
that he ever after spoke of this event as the hap- 
piest of his life. In the mean time, as the enemy- 
gave way on all sides, Cortez sounded a retreat in 
order to spare the effusion of more blood, and that 
his troops might repose from the toils of so fatiguing 
a day. They withdrew therefore into the fort* 



dialogue xnr. 



X' HE two armies remained all the succeeding 
day in inadtion. Cortez was occupied in making- 
K 4 preparations 



200 CORTEX. 

preparations for his departure, and the Mexicans 
appeared suddenly to desist from all hostilities ; but 
this pacific spirit was merely assumed, nothing 
being farther from their intentions than peace. On 
the contrary, ihey were more resolutely determined 
than ever wholly to extirpate the Spaniards; and 
this apparent calm was only the effecSt of a new 
plan by which they were contriving to accomplish 
their purpose. They now 7 applied themselves 
wholly to cut off the retreat of their enemy by 
breaking down the bridges and exterminating 
them by famine. This projedt was replete with 
danger to the Spaniards; but Cortez, who was 
prepared for all events, took measures to coun- 
teract their designs. He caused a portable bridge 
to be constructed with the greatest expedition, 
which in his projected retreat could be fixed in 
the apertures occasioned by the destruction of the 
bridges, and, as soon as it was finished, ordered 
every one to be ready for his march on the 
following night. He hoped the darkness that pre- 
vailed would enable him to escape unperceived, or 
that the superstition of the enemy would prevent 
their molesting him in his retreat; but how greatly 
was he deceived !, 

When night arrived he divided his army into 
three columns. The command of the first, which 

formed 



CORTEX. 201 

formed the advanced guard, he gave to Sandoval ; 
he himself chose the middle, as being the centre of 
the army; and at the head of the third, or rear 
guard, he placed Valasquez De Leon, a near rela- 
tion to the governor of Cuba. Before they began 
their march, he endeavoured to convince his men 
of the necessity of foregoing the treasures they had 
amassed, that they might be lighter and better pre- 
pared for combat. Some were inclined to follow 
his advice ; but others murmured so loudly, that 
he was at length obliged to lessen the rigour of his 
demand, by adding, that he desired them at least to 
confine themselves to what they were certain 
would not impede their activity. The wise con- 
formed to this rule ; but the avaricious despised it, 
and loaded themselves with a burden which soon 
dragged them on to ruin. 

It was midnight, an hour in which all nature 
Is sunk in repose, when the army began its 
.march. The Spaniards carefully avoided making 
the least noise, and the rain, which then fell, ap- 
peared to favour their escape. They proceeded, 
without discovering, the least opposition, till they 
arrived at the dyke which led to Tacuba, and 
which Conez, for two reasons, had preferred to 
the others, in the first place, it was the narrowest, 
and in the next, he had hopes that the Mexicans, 
K5 in 



202 COliTEZ. 

in breaking down the bridges, might have forgot- 
ten this, as it conduced to a -side dire6tly opposite 
to the road by which the Spaniards arrived, as you 
may see by your map. This hope was found to 
be vain ; for, as soon as they had advanced on the 
causeway, and reached the place where the first 
bridge was, they found that it had really been de- 
stroyed, and rejoiced in the foresight of their wary 
commander ; for, by the assistance of the portable 
bridge, which they threw over the dyke, the greater 
part of the army arrived happily on the other side, 
and marched on to another chasm. Before they 
could attain it, the sudden and horrid cry of war 
announced death and ruin on all sides ; the lake 
was in an instant covered with boats, and a terrible 
shower of arrows and stones began one of the 
most dreadful combats history has recorded, as 
much on account of the place, as of the thick 
darkness and exertions of the combatants. 

The Mexicans, without suffering their design 
to transpire, in the deepest silence had narrowly 
watched every motion of their enemy, and had 
made their preparations with so much secresy and 
prudence, that the Spaniards had no intimation till 
this dreadful moment, when they found themselve$ 
on a sudden assailed by the whole force of a na- 
tion irritated almost to madness. They were, as I 

have 



CQRTEZ. 203 

have before observed, in the midst of- a narrow 
causeway, between the first and second apertures, 
caused by the pulling down of the bridges. The 
portable bridge which had transported them over 
the first chasm was to be withdrawn and carried 
to the second ; but the weight of the artillery had 
jammed it so forcibly between the stones, that no 
strength was able to remove it. While the Spa- 
niards were making fruitless efforts to this purpose, 
they found themselves surrounded and attacked on 
all sides, with such fury, that no hope was left 
either of vanquishing or escaping. The Mexi- 
cans, burning with vengeance, seemed universally 
animated with the desire of sacrificing their lives, 
or of exterminating the enemy of their country. 
In vain the Spaniards exerted their usual courage, 
so often exercised, to cut themselves a passage 
through the enemy ; as soon as they had hewn 
down one combatant, another supplied his place, 
and they now found themselves oppressed by so 
great a multitude, that neither their military know- 
ledge, nor their fire-arms, were of the least advan- 
tage. Their strength was at length exhausted, 
and they were no longer able to resist the num- 
bers which continued to pour upon them like a tor- 
rent. The first ranks gave way, and a general 
disorder ensued y foot and. horse, friends and ene- 
mies* 



204 CORTEZ. 

mies, were driven tumultously on one another, 
each hewing down all around him, unable, in the 
thick darkness, to discover who were friends and 
who were enemies. In the midst of this horrid 
butchery, Cortez assembled about a hundred men, 
at the head of which he endeavoured to cut his way 
to the second and third aperture of the dvke. This 
attempt succeeded ; and, throwing the bodies of 
the slain into the chasm, they marched over them, 
and at length happily attained the opposite bank ; 
but the generous heart of Cortez disdained his own 
preservation while he saw the greater part of his 
people in danger ; he therefore arranged the few 
men who had escaped with him, and, choosing the 
small number from among them that were not 
wounded, returned with all dispatch to partake new 
perils with those of his comrades, who were yet 
engaged with the enemy. A small party, who 
had also cut their way through the enemy, rushed 
forward to meet him ; but the joy which he expe- 
rienced on this occasion was soon poisoned by the 
mournful cries of those who had fallen alive into 
the hands of the Mexicans, and were dragging to 
the temple to be sacrificed to their idols. With 
a bleeding heart he made the last effort to save 
them, but, alas, it was fruitless ; he found it impos- 
sible to pierce through the enemy, and was forced 

to 



CORTEX. 205 

to content himself with collecting the small num- 
ber who were preserved, and who were, for the 
most part, so fatigued and wounded, that ; t was 
impossible to renew the combat. The greater part 
of his army was destroyed, some having been killed 
by the enemy, and others having perished in the 
waters. When morning appeared to disclose the 
horrid massacre of the night* humanity drew tears 
from his eyes on beholding how many of his 
brave comrades were wanting, and how pitiable 
was the condition of the survivors. Above half of 
the Spaniards, and more than two thousand Tlas- 
calans, had perished ; even Valasquez de Leon, 
and some of his bravest officers, were missing, 
and almost all that remained were covered with 
wounds. The artillery, ammunition, baggage, and 
the greater part of the treasures were lost, the last- 
named occasioned the ruin of those who had im- 
prudently laden themselves, the weight of the bur- 
den, imposed by their avarice, impeding them both 
in their combat and in their flight. This signal 
defeat is particularly denominated by the name of 
The Night of Desolation, which is given in New 
Spain to the anniversary on which it happened. 

They first halted at Tamba, but it was 
not thought prudent to continue there, the 
whole country being in arms. The only spot that 

seemed 



206 CORTEZ. 

seemed to present them with a secure asylum was 
Tlascala ; but to gain the road which led to it, it 
was necessary from the west, where they then were, 
to keep along all the northern coast of the great 
lake of Mexico, and for several days to traverse 
countries unknown, where they had no expectation 
of being supplied with refreshments, of which they 
stood much in need after the fatigues and anguish 
they had undergone : yet, as there was no other 
alternative, they immediately set forward, but 
who can recount the different miseries and new 
perils to which these poor fugitives were every in- 
stant exposed in their retreat ! Weakened by the fa- 
tigues of combat, exhausted with hunger, labour- 
ing under the most painful wounds, and surrounded 
bv a triumphant enemy, who harassed them with- 
out ceasing, they were constrained to take their 
route through pathless deserts, which afforded for 
their nourishment only wild seeds, roots, and the 
green stems of Indian corn. Sometimes they 
feared they should sink' under these calamities ; but 
the example of their brave leader ever re-animated 
their courage and fortitude. With a serenity truly 
admirable, this extraordinary man shared these ac- 
cumulated evils with the lowest of his soldiers ; the 
first to face every danger, he was the last to parti- 
cipate in any little comfort which accidentally oc- 
curred; 



CORTEZ. 207 

curred ; and, above all, continued inexhaustible in 
resources, and still possessed of that uncommon 
presence of mind, which had ever befriended him 
in the most critical emergencies. Oh, why was 
not such greatness of soul united with the mild 
and amiable virtues of humanity ! Their toilsome 
march had continued live days, and they were not 
yet at the end of their fatigues. Marian, who, as 
well as Aquila, was among those who had escaped, 
had often in the attacks, which the Mexicans con- 
stantly renewed, heard them address this exclama- 
tion to the Spaniards : " March on, robbers ! 
March where the recompence of your crimes awaits 
you." The meaning of these words was not at 
the time understood, but on the sixth day, as they 
drew near Otumba, it was fully revealed, to the 
great terror of them all ; for, having attained an 
eminence at a little distance, the Spaniards peiv 
ceived, with astonishment, the whole plain co- 
vered with innumerable warriors— a sight at which 
the most courageous (Cortez excepted) lost all 
hope of their preservation. He, still preserving 
his natural fortitude, represented to his soldiers, 
with an air itself capable of inspiring courage, i that 
the time was come when they must either conquer 
or die.' He then arranged his little corps with 
his usual coolness, and immediately led them 

on 



f 2Q8 CORTEX. 

on to the enemy. As the ripe grain falls before the 
sickle of the reaper, so fell the thick ranks of the 
enemy beneath the sword of our heroes. Nothing 
could resist them, with a desperate valour they 
penetrated even to the centre of the hostile army, 
strewing their path with death and slaughter ; until 
at length, exhausted with fatigue, their sinews re- 
laxed, and the enemy at the same time falling upon 
them on all sides, it is certain that none would 
have escaped destruction, had not a happy thought 
suddenly occurred to their vigilant leader. He 
perceived from afar the chief of the Mexican army 
bearing aloft the standard of the empire, and for- 
tunately recolledted having heard that the Mexi- 
cans commonly looked upon all as lost from the 
moment the standard was taken, his plan was in- 
stantly formed ; at the head of his bravest cavalry 
he rushed into the midst of the troops that com- 
posed the guard of the colours, and with^a stroke 
of his lance extended the Mexican general on the 
earth, while two of his suite immediately leaped 
from their horses, dispatched him, and seized the 
standard. At the same instant all the other colours 
were lowered, confusion and terror were spread 
throughout the Mexican army, and, with asto* 
nishment, the Spaniards beheld them throw down 
their arms, and take to flight* 

Thus 



€ORTEZ. 20g 

Thus, my children, did a happy turn of thought 
preserve the Spaniards, and gain them a vidlory as 
glorious as it was advantageous ; for, having collect- 
ed the booty which they took in the field of battle, 
it proved so considerable, that it almost indemnified 
them for the loss of the treasures they had left at 
Mexico; the greater part of the Mexicans, from 
their positive assurance of vi£tory, having arrayed 
themselves in their most magnificent ornaments. 

The next day they arrived in the territories of 
their Tlascalan allies, not without fears of expe- 
riencing a change in their sentiments respecting 
them. But these apprehensions were wholly 
groundless, this noble and generous people 
were incapable of failing in their faith to their 
allies, because they were unfortunate ; they re- 
ceived them, on the contrary, with as much 
friendship as if in the height of their power and 
success,— a striking example of steady and disin- 
terested friendship, that should, in some sort, com- 
pensate for the many horrid scenes which, to my 
great regret, I am obliged to describe to you. 

With this generous people our heroes reposed 
from the toils they had undergone, every one be- 
ing now permitted to think only of his re-establish- 
nient. Cortez alone, although he had fought and 
suffered more than any other, could think neither 

oi 



210 C0RTEZ+ 

of repose nor refreshment. Overwhelmed wkh 
cares and inquietude, his a£tive spirit revolved new 
projects for the future, and lie had soon the satis- 
faction of learning that fortune was not yet weary 
of favouring his audacity; for she sent him, by 
means wholly unexpedted, a reinforcement, at a 
time when it could never have been more neces- 
sary. 

Valasquez, Governor of Cuba, of whom we 
have before spoken, was so far from thinking that 
Narvaez, with the force he had confided to him, 
could have been defeated, that, soon after, without 
waiting for any intelligence, he dispatched two 
ether vessels with all sorts of ammunition for war, 
and with new instructions. These sailed right for 
Vera Cruz, and the officer who commanded there 
had the address to entice them into the port when, 
without difficulty, he seized them, the crews being 
easily persuaded to serve under Cortez, but this 
was not all fortune had resolved in behalf of her 
favourite, for shortly after three more considerable 
vessels appeared on the coast, 

Mathias. Were they also sent by Valas- 
quez E 

The Father. No ; they were part of a squa- 
dron which the governor of Jamaica had equipped 
and sent out to make new discoveries ; but the 

chiefs 



COIITEZ. 2,11 

chiefs of the enterprise had unfortunately directed 
their course towards the northern provinces of 
the Empire of Mexico, where the inhabitants were 
as poor as they were courageous, and had so ill 
received them, that, after a long chain of misfor- 
tunes they thought themselves happy to gain the 
port of Vera Cruz. These also were prevailed on 
to serve under Cortez ; so that the reinforcement 
he received in men and ammunition was so consi- 
derable, that the loss he had sustained was almost 
wholly repaired. 

He now found himself possessed of a sufficient 
force to resume his former proje£t of making the 
conquest of the whole empire of Mexico; his faith- 
ful allies, the Tlascalans, and other hordes of In- 
dians, who were also his friends, having increased 
his army by sending him a reinforcement of ten 
thousand men. 

Theophilus. Now he has so powerful an army 
he will find little difficulty in subduing the Mex- 
icans. 

The Father. Do not say so, Theophilus. The 
Mexicans have now an emperor deficient neither 
in spirit nor valour, and you will find, have as- 
sumed quite another chara&er. 

John. Is it the same they ele&ed upon the 
death of Montezuma ? 

The 



212 CORTEZ. 

The Father. No ; the brave Quetlavaca, who 
in person commanded the Mexican army on the 
ISight of Desolation^ was no more. 

Peter. Oh, father ! was he also killed ? * 

The Father. No; he lived some time after the 
deliverance of his capital,, and was employing him- 
self in establishing the wisest regulations for keep- 
ing the oppressors of his country for ever at a 
distance from the city, when he suddenly became 
the victim of a disease never before known in 
America, and which is certainly among the great 
evils the Europeans brought into that hemisphere, 

Nicholas. What disease was it, father ? 

The Father. The small-pox; a malady till 
then totally unknown in America, and which 
about that time began to make the most dreadful 
ravages among the inhabitants. Quetlavaca sunk 
under it, and a near relative of Montezuma,, 
named Guatimozin was elected emperor in his 
stead. 

John. Was he as courageous as the former I 

The Father. He was a man of distinguished 
bravery; had besides an excellent understanding, 
and great generosity. He continued vigorously to 
pursue the plans of defence formed by his prede- 
cessor, and, from the instant that he learnt the 
enemy were making new preparations $. coljefted 

from- 



CORTEZ. 213 

■from all parts of the empire a prodigious number 
of warriors into the capital, and with these reso- 
lutely determined to defend himself to the last 
extremity. 

Cortez, informed of these preparations, was 
fully sensible of the difficulties and perils he had to 
surmount; but he had been long accustomed to 
oppose obstacles and dangers with a courage no- 
thing couid intimidate. With hk usual coolness 
and intrepidity he therefore put himself at the head 
of his now considerably augmented army, and 

marched. -But he shall not proceed till to- 

.morrow. 



DIALOGUE XIV. 



ThEOPHILUS. Now, dear Father I 

The Father. What, already ? — Cortez at the 
head of his army marched to Mexico. As he 
drew near the city of Tezeuco he met several am- 
bassadors with the symbols of peace ; these in the 
name of the cacique gave him the most pressing 
invocation to enter and pass the night in the city, 
adding, every thing should be done to procure him 
and his people the necessary accommodations. To 

this 



214 CORTEZ* 

this invitation was however joined the request that 
he would encamp his Indian auxiliaries without 
the town. As there were reasons to suspect the 
sincerity of this cacique's professions, though 
Cortez availed himself of- his invitation, he at the 
same time resolved to employ all the precautions 
possible, and to defer till the next day their entry 
into the city. This happy delay preserved the 
lives of the Spaniards, and of their penetrating 
chief; for the following morn-ing the city was 
found deserted, a dead sLonoc reigned in every 
part, and it was not till Cortez had ordered their 
dwellings to be occupied by his troops, and had 
arranged the remainder in the great square, that 
some of the natives ventured to appear. From 
these they learnt that the cacique had made every 
preparation to destroy the Spaniards the preceding 
night; but the delay of their entry, and the fear 
that his design was discovered, had induced him to 
give up his projedt and make his escape, 

Cortez contented himself with- punishing the 
cacique for his artful fraud by deposing him, and 
nominating in his place one of the inhabitants 
whom his countrymen represented to him as the 
most deserving. This young man had something 
in his whole figure so prepossessing and noble, that 
Cortez at the first sight could not forbear giving 

him 



CORTEZ. 215 

Sfeim the strongest assurances of his friendship. The 
nomination of a new cacique ensured him the ad- 
vantage of reckoning the inhabitants of this consi- 
derable city among the number of his allies, as the 
governor, owing his elevation to him, must ne- 
cessarily continue of his party, as much from gra- 
titude as from a regard to his own interests. For 
this reason- Cortez resolved to make this city his 
principal quarters, till he had completed all the 
necessary preparations for the conquest of Mexico. 
Ferdinand. What preparations were necessary? 
-Could he not have gone dire£tly to Mexico? 

The Father. In that case he would probably 
have returned with shame and dishonour. No, 
Ferdinand ; Cortez was certainly brave, but at the 
same time too prudent to attempt an impossibility. 
The Mexicans had now put their city in a good 
posture of defence ; they had prudently destroyed 
all the bridges of the dykes, and in the apertures 
had erected strong bastions and parapets to prevent 
the enemy making use of their portable bridges. 
The wise Guatimozin had besides armed his nu- 
merous soldiers with bows and long pikes, that they 
might be able to defend themselves at a great dis- 
tance ; but what Cortez considered more formida- 
ble than all the rest, was a number of canoes or 
barks, from whiqh they could on both sides annoy 

the 



210 CORTEX. 

the Spaniards if they attempted to pass the narrow 
causeways. From all this he was sensible he 
must not think of the conquest of this now strong 
city, before he had a fleet of small vessels, by 
means of which he could disperse the canoes, and 
sustain the attack of the causeways. But how 
"was such a fleet to be constructed? — He had not 
more than two or three carpenters in his suite, and 
the w r ood that was necessary for the purpose could 
be procured only from the forests of Tlascala ; be- 
sides which, his whole army w 7 ould not have been 
sufficient to transporc it from thence to Tezeuco. 
But the greater difficulties this extraordinary man 
had to encounter, the more ardent w r as his desire 
of surmounting them. His resolution therefore 
was immediacely taken. He employed a great 
number of Tiasealans under his carpenters to assist 
them in hewing the timber, and preparing the ne- 
cessary materials, during which he endeavoured to 
make himself master of the environs of Mexico, in 
order to cut off all supplies of provisions from this 
unfortunate city. Some of the neighbouring 
towns he subdued by force, and others were in- 
duced by more gentle means to form an alliance 
with him. Guatirnozin beheld with inquietude 
and chagrin this disaffection of his perfidious 
vassdls, and took all possible measures to prevent 

the 



CORTEZ. 217 

the consequences. His efforts were ineffectual, but 
his great soul continued not less firm in the reso- 
lution of defending to the last drop of his blood the 
capital of his ruined kingdom. During this in- 
terval an unexpected danger hung over Cortez, 
which, had it not been averted, would have put a 
dreadful end not only to his enterprise but to his 
life itself The projecfi was already ripe, and 
twenty-four hours only was wanting to its ex- 
ecution. 

Some of the Children. Oh, poor Cortez ! 

The Father. Ignorant till now of his danger, 
you will find, when I have drawn aside the veil 
that concealed it, that the exertion of all his pru- 
dence and fortitude was necessary to extricate him. 
The soldiers of Narvaez, as I have already said, 
had voluntarily ranged themselves under Cortez's 
standard; but their view in this was the hope that 
he would in a short time, and with little danger, 
put them in possession of immense treasures. The 
disappointment of their hopes, and the considera- 
tion of the perils they foresaw in the assault of 
Mexico, inspired them with dissatisfaction towards 
their general, and repentance for having consented 
to follow him. Among the malecontents was one 
Villefagna, a common soldier, who was extremely 
enterprising, possessed of great cunning, and had 
L ever; 



218 CORTEX. 

ever been a secret partisan of Yalasquez. This 
wretch profited by the general dissatisfadtion of 
his comrades to form a projedt which aimed at 
nothing less than the massacre of the general and 
his principal officers, and the electing of a new 
commander, who should reconduct them to Cuba, 
To execute this plan, it was resolved to deliver a 
pretended packet of letters from Spain, by the way 
of Vera Cruz, to Cortez, as he was seated at table 
with his principal officers. The conspirators were 
then, under pretence of hearing news from their 
country, to rush into the apartment, and, while 
Cortez was employed in opening the packet, sud- 
denly to fall upon him and dispatch him, with the 
other officers, who were the destined victims. All 
was ready for the execution of this murderous de- 
sign; the day preceding that appointed for the 
massacre was arrived, and the conspirators, whose 
number was considerable, had made their prepa- 
rations with such secresy and precaution, that 
neither Cortez nor his friends had the least suspi- 
cion. Evening approached; darkness veiled the 
last meeting of the murderers, and concealed from 
every eye the horrid a6tion they had resolved to 
perpetrate. He alone to whom dark v ness itself is 
light, and whose penetrating eye pierces into the 
most hidden recesses ef the human heart, beheld 

the 



CORTEZ. 219 

the sanguinary purpose; at his glance the veil was 
removed, and the horrible conspiracy stood revealed 
in open day. One of the conspirators, who had 
been among the first companions of Cortez, was 
suddenly seized with terror and compuncStion. — 
The nearer the hour approached that was ap- 
pointed for the massacre of his general, formerly 
so beloved, the more painful were his sensations; 
he endeavoured to stifle them, and to combat the 
reflections that tormented him, but all was in vain, 
his awakened conscience had taken the alarm, and 
suffered him to have no rest till he had entered the 
chamber of his general, and made a voluntary con- 
fession of the whole conspiracy. 

Cortez was struck with astonishment; but ac- 
customed to take his measures suddenly and cou- 
rageously, his plan was immediately formed. Ac- 
companied by some of his officers he went instantly 
to the quarter of Villefagna, who was in such 
confusion at his presence, so unexpected in that 
place and at that time, that he was unable either to 
deny his black design or to urge any thing in his 
defence. Cortez immediately ordered him tu be 
arrested, and tore from his bosom a paper, which 
as he supposed, related to the conspiracy. He re- 
tired on one side to peruse it, and found it to be a 
list of the conspirators, in which were inserted 
L 2 name? 



220 CORTEZ. 

names which filled him with astonishment and 
alarm. Prudence induced him to stifle this list, 
and to pretend that all the conspirators were un- 
known to him. He confined himself therefore to 
punishing the chief ; and as the confession of his 
crime rendered more ample information useless, he 
was the same evening hanged hefore the building 
in which he was confined. 

The next morning Cortez assembled his whole 
army, when it is natural to suppose that the guilty 
were in the utmost trepidation and alarm. Cortez 
with his usual confidence and composure advanced 
into the midst of them, and recounted to them the 
perfidy of Villefagna, and the punishment he had 
drawn upon himself ; but at the same time added, 
that notwithstanding all his endeavours he had not 
been able to discover who w T ere his accomplices, 
the criminal having, even under the torture, pre- 
served the most obstinate silence. With respedt 
to himself, he assured them he rejoiced in this cir- 
cumstance, as it would have been painful to him 
to deliver more of his companions into the hands 
of justice; he however concluded his discourse 
with a request, that they would inform him by 
what means he had been so unfortunate as to in- 
cur the displeasure of his comrades, that he might 
instantly endeavour to repair the fault. 

These 



CORTEZ. 221 

These words dissipated the fears of the guilty ; 
as if a weight had been removed from their hearts, 
they began to revive, and the joy of being undis- 
covered inspired them with the resolution of re- 
maining faithful to their general on every future 
occasion. Thus Cortez, by wisely moderating 
his anger, preserved a great part of his troops; and 
acquired as many faithful soldiers as he had before 
traitors in his army. But as his knowledge of the 
human heart rendered him sensible that indolence 
commonly corrupts even the best men, he re- 
solved to busy those turbulent spirits that were now 
known to him in a new occupation, which should 
leave them no leisure for the fabrication of sedi- 
tious plots. Fortune presented him with a fa- 
vourable opportunity ; information was brought 
him that materials for thirteen brigantines were 
ready, and it only remained to transport them from 
Tlascala to Tezeuco. Their conveyance could 
not be accomplished but by the Indian carriers ; 
and on account of the Mexicans, who scoured the 
country, a strong guard of soldiers was necessary 
to prote£t them. To this post Cortez destined the 
repentant criminate, under the command of San- 
doval, upon whose vigilance, courage, and fidelity 
he could place the firmest reliance. 

L 3 This 



222 CORTEX. 

This march proved one of the most singular 
and toilsome that had ever been performed ; eight 
hundred tamenes, laden with beams, masts, cordage, 
sails, and old iron, were in the centre, — the ad- 
vanced guard, the rear guard, and the support of 
the flanks or sides, were composed of a body of 
fifteen thousand Tlascalans, among whom were 
dism bated the Spanish soldiers, who were to keep 
them in order, and accustom them to march regu- 
larly. The entire band occupied above the space 
of a mile; Sandoval placed himself at their head, 
and confided the command of the rear guard to a 
young Tlascalan, named Chechimical. 

Peter, interrupting his father. Where is Xico- 
tencatl? It is long since we have heard any thing 
of him. 

The Father. Xicotencatl is no more. 

The Children. Oh, father ! 

The Father. It is even so. That haughty 
young warrior was unable to support the idea of 
becoming subservient to a stranger ; he probably 
penetrated deeper than his countrymen, and fore- 
saw that the alliance his nation had concluded 
with rhe Spaniards would in the end be changed 
into slavery. With this idea, when Cortez re- 
turned to Tlascala, he raised a party against him ; 
but his plan failed of success, for his* own. coun- 
trymen 



CORTEZ. 523 

Jlrymen arrested him, and his father, a second 
Brutus, pronounced sentence of death on him, and 
delivered him to the Spanish general to execute 
this severe judgment. Cortez was, however, in 
this instance too humane to peimit the blood of 
this youthful patriot, the son of his ancient and 
respected friend, to be shed on his account; he not 
only pardoned and set him at liherty, but made 
him a companion in his march to Mexico. This 
lenity was unable to bend the haughty spirit of 
Xicotencatl ; he continued on the contrary to de- 
claim against the enterprise of the Spaniards with 
the freedom of a republican, and to excite his 
countrymen to revolt. In consequence of this he 
was accused at the supreme council of the Tlas- 
calans, who caused Cortez to be informed, that he 
who endeavoured to excite an army to rebel 
against its chief incurred the sentence of death by 
the laws of his country ; that it depended therefore 
wholly on him to put them in force against the 
rebel Xicotencatl, for that when he returned to 
Tlascala he would certainly undergo the same 
sentence. Cortez, however, once more resolved 
to use gentle means, and accordingly sent to en- 
treat this headstrong young chief to come to him, 
and in person inform him of the injuries he com- 
plained of,* as he was ready to redress them. 
L 4 Xicotencatl 



224 CORTEZ* 

Xicoteneatl would not even listen to this message ; 
and Cortez having sent the guard to bring him by 
force, he defended himself, till covered with wounds 
he fell dead to the earth. Such was the tragical 
end of a man, who, differently situated, would 
perhaps have become a Hannibal or a Caesar. 

The Children. Oh, what a pity ! 

The Father. Young Chechimical, of whom I 
before spoke, was nearly of the same stamp. — 
Passionate and bold as Xicoteneatl, with equal 
pride and obstinacy, he possessed in addition a 
considerable degree of ostentatious vanity, which 
excited his resentment against Sandoval for having 
given him the command of the rear guard. Such 
a general as himself he conceived should always be 
foremost to animate the whole army by his ex- 
ample. He did not only pretend to be the first at 
the assault of Mexico, but in all less affairs hoped 
to have had the precedence. It was in vain re- 
presented to him that the post Sandoval had con- 
fided to him was one of the moat important, as an 
attack was more to be feared in the rear than in 
the van. He was still dissatisfied, till Sandoval 
himself, from an indulgent complaisance to his 
pride and obstinacy, consented to share with him 
the command of the rear guard. 

During 



CORTEZ. 225 

During a march of fifteen miles through craggy 
and mountainous roads, frequent bands of Mexican 
soldiers appeared to harass and interrupt their pro- 
gress ; but seeing they were on all sides prepared 
to receive them, they each time withdrew, without 
attempting to come to adlion. At length Sandoval 
had the satisfaction, after a march of extreme la- 
bour and fatigue, to arrive happily, with his sin- 
gular caravan, at Tezeueo, where his general re^- 
ceived him with open arms. 

When they drew near Tezueeo, Chechimical 
desired his army to halt a short time ; but I am sure 
you will be surprised to hear that this delay was re- 
quested merely that he might put onjiis best plumes, 
and other warlike ornaments. "Since we are 
soon to fight," said he* " it behoves me, as a brave 
soldier, to appear as well dressed as if I were going 
to a wedding." When these ostentatious fooleries 
were reported to Cortez, he formed no very ele- 
vated idea of the spirit or understanding, of this 
young warrior ; for he justly conceived, that true 
courage, as well as all true merit, is ever modest 
and unassuming. Indeed history makes no men- 
tion of the exploits of this bragging hero* 

While the workmen were employed in the 

construction of the brigantines, another happy 

event occurred, which caused universal joy in the 

1*5 camp 



226 CORTEZ. 

camp of the besiegers. Cortez had, for some time 
previous to the present, dispatched several officers 
to Hispaniola, in order, if possible, to obtain sup- 
plies from thence. Their return had been long 
in vain expedted, when the joyful news waV spread 
that four vessels, from Hispaniola, were arrived at 
Vera Cruz, with a reinforcement, consisting of 
two hundred soldiers, eighty horses, two pieces of 
cannon, and a great quantity of ammunition. You 
may easily represent to yourselves the joy that 
Cortez and his companions must have felt on this 
occasion. 

The construction of the brigan tines was now 
carried on with the greatest vigour. The Mex- 
icans had several times made attempts to impede it, 
and to burn the vessels on the stocks ; but the vi- 
gilance of Cortez, and the bravery of his troops, 
rendered their efforts fruitless. 

At length the work was completed ; the ships 
were launched with the greatest solemnity, and the 
wind beginning to fill their sails, the spectators 
burst into acclamations of joy, which announced 
the important event to all the environs. Their 
eyes were alternately fixed on the vessels in full 
sail, and on the extraordinary man, who, notwith- 
standing all obstacles, had rendered himself master 

of 



CORTEZ. 227 

of the lake, the greatest bulwark of the besieged 
capital. « 

Cortez now resolved to attack the city, at the 
same time, on three sides. He therefore divided 
his army into as many columns ; Sandoval was 
nominated leader of the first, Alvarado received the 
command of the second, and Olid of the third. 
The first was to advance from Tezeuco, and the 
second from Cujocan, * towards the causeways 
which, from these places, led to Mexico ; while 
Cortez, with the vessels, which he resolved to 
command himself, was to support their attacks. 

Each, at the time appointed, marched to the 
post assigned him. In the way Alvarado and OJid 
destroyed an aqueducSt, constructed with consider* 
able skill, and by which the Mexicans had the ad* 
dress to convey to their city, surrounded as it was 
by the lake, fresh water from the mountains se- 
veral miles distant ; and the want of water, which 
followed the destruction of this aqueduct, was the 
first of the evils against which the unfortunate 
inhabitants had to struggle. From this time a 
day did not pass unmarked by some sanguinary 
scene. The brigantines had to oppose a prodi- 
gious fleet of canoes ; and the land army of the 
enemy, which were stationed on the causeways, 
were as formidable, from their numbers, as from 

their 



228 CQRTEZ. 

their courage, and the obstinacy of their resistance! 
The slight canoes were indeed soon dispersed or 
sunk ; but the victory was not so easily gained in 
the attack on the causeways. Tt is true, the Spa- 
niards every day, at the expence of infinite fatigue 

, and danger, carried some of the bastions, which the 
Mexicans had raised in order to proteft the chasms, 
and replaced them by their portable bridges ; but as 
the sad remembrance of the Night of Deflation oblig- 
ed them every evening to retire to firm land, the be- 
sieged, during the night, expeditiously repaired such 

' of the fortifications as had been destroyed during 
the day : so that, notwithstanding all the blood 
that was shed, they were not one day further ad?. 
vanced than another, and the daily fatigues of the 
Spaniards, and their allies, were so great, that there 
was danger of their sinking, by degrees, under 
them. Such was the state of things when Cortez, 
extremely mortified at the ill success of his arms, 
roused all his courage, and formed a resolution, 
which, if successful* must inevitably end in the 
ruin of the enemy or himself. In what this reso- 
lution consisted^ and what were its dreadful conser- 
quences, I shall, with your permission, defer till 
to-morrow. 

Theophilus. Oh dear, dear father J only this 
once— 

T*> 



C0RTE2. 12§ 

To-morrow ! repeated their father, and the re* 
cital concluded for that day. 



DIALOGUE XV. 



T t 



HE next day, at the usual hour, all the young 
people seated themselves, with the utmost impa- 
tience in deep silence, expedling, from the conclu- 
sion of the last conversation, that something great 
and remarkable would be related. This idea was 
strengthened by the air of importance with which 
their father, without speaking, took his seat among 
them. Every eye was fixed on him, and silence 
reigned universally throughout the little assembly. 
At length he addressed them in these words;: It is 
with reason, my children, that you expe6l the 
recital of great events ; but do not suppose they 
are such as will afford you pleasure, on the 
contrary, I am still under the necessity of de*- 
scribing to you some scenes that will make 
your heart bleed, and others that will cause 
you to shudder with horror and affright. I am 
sorry to observe, that this is what you must ex- 
jeit i but oh ! my children,, when humanity 

draws 



230 CORTEZ. 

draws from your young eyes the tear of pity, in 
that moment silently renew the promise you have 
made, to exert all your powers, when you shall 
become men, to lessen calamity, restrain violence, 
prevent the effusion of blood, and ultimately to 
contribute to the establishment of tranquillity, 
peace, and justice, among your brethren*. But 
to return to my history. — Cortez resolving, by a 
single stroke, to put an end to this long and toil- 
some war, disposed all in readiness to give a gene- 
ral assault the next day. He ordered each com- 
mander to penetrate with his corps into the besieged 
city, and there to keep his post ; and placed him- 
self at the head of those who were to attack the 
causeway of Cujocan, firmly resolved, at what 
price soever, to cut his way through every ob- 
stacle. 

At length the terrible day appeared ; each com- 
mander advanced at the head of his corps, and the 
bloody scene began. Nothing could exceed the 
fury with which the Spaniards assaulted, or the 

obstinate 



* * Oh, young Princes! you who are hereafter to be- 
come sovereigns and commanders of armies, would that 
my feeble efforts could engrave this truth on your hearts, 
that of all you possess, human blood is the most pre* 
ciousl For surely God will require of you a just ac- 
count of every brother entrusted,, by his wisdom, to 
your care. 



CORTEX. 23 1 

obstinate resistance of the Mexicans. The band 
which Cortez, in person, conduced especially, 
inflamed by the example of their general, per- 
formed prodigies of valour — all obstacles were 
fruitless — they penetrated from one aperture to 
another, carried bastion after bastion, pierced the 
Thickest ranks, trod down all before them, and at 
length pursued the enemy into the very centre of 
the city. But although Cortez with his valiant 
band was borne, as it were, by an impetuous wind, 
on the wings of vidrory, he preserved sufficient 
presence of mind to secure a -certain retreat, in 
case the fortune of war should change. With this 
view he had appointed Julian d'Aldrete, an officer 
lately arrived from Hispaniola with the reinforce- 
ments, to remain stationed near the chasms of the 
causeways, which he was to occupy with his < 
soldiers, while Cortez and his men pressed for- 
ward to the combat. 

Unfortunately, the false ambition of this of- 
ficer inspired him with the idea that it was deroga- 
tory from his courage to execute a commission 
exempt from peril, while his comrades were ac- 
quiring laurels in the field ; he therefore, disre- 
garding the orders of his general, rushed into the 
thickest of the fight to share with them the honour 
and danger of the action. Guatimozin 3 informed 

of 



232, CORTEZ+ 

of this circumstance, was transported at the impn>« 
dence of the enemy, from which he clearly saw he 
could derive a signal advantage. He immediately- 
commanded several bands to march by different in- 
direct ways tc the chasms of the causeways, which. 
d'Aldrete and his men had abandoned, to enlarge 
them as much as possible, and to take entire pos- 
session of them. The other troops, who were en- 
gaged with the Spaniards, at the entrance of the 
city, he commanded by degrees to retreat, in order 
to draw the heat of the battle into the interior of 
the city. His stratagem succeeded ; for Cortez,. 
relying on the execution of his orders, hesitated 
not to pursue the enemy from street to street, and 
at length reached the place where Guatimozin. 
waited for him, with the choicest of his warriors.. 
On a sudden, from the top of the principal temple, 
which was near, the solemn sound of the drum,, 
which was sacred to the God of War, was heard ; 
a well known signal, which, every time it was 
beat, inspired the Americans with inconceivable: 
courage, and an absolute contempt of death, la; 
an instant the Spaniards found themselvesso vigo- 
rous! v attacked on all sides, that, notwithstanding, 
their bravery, and knowledge of the military art, 
they could not long resist so unequal a force,. 
They began to give way, first in small bands, re- 
treating 



VOUTEZ. 233 

treating slowly, and still defending themselves ; 
but, as the number of the enemy every instant 
increased, and their attacks became each time 
more furious, they, by degrees, redoubled their 
pace, and thought more of ensuring their safety by 
flight than by defence, Their ranks were now 
broken — Spaniards and Tlascalans, foot and horse, 
fled in disorder towards the nearest chasm of the 
causeway, which, to their great astonishment, they 
did not find guarded, as they expe&ed, by their 
own men, but occupied by the enemy. 

In vain Cortez had recourse to commands and 
entreaties to stop the general disorder, and rally his 
men. They no longer saw or heard more thaa 
their danger, each individual striving to efFedt his 
own preservation, in the best way he was able.— • 
They leaped, by whole troops, from the causeway 
into the chasm, where numbers were buried in 
the waves ; and the enemy hastening thither with 
their canoes, the remainder were killed or taken 
prisoners ; for, unfortunately, the water of the 
lake, in this part, was too shallow for the brigan- 
tines to come to their assistance. It is impossible 
to describe the feelings of Cortex, an perceiving 
the extremity to which his people were reduced ; 
their danger made him totally forgetful of himself, 
and wholly unmindful of his personal safety.-— 

Divided 



234 CORTEZ. 

Divided by their pressing danger, he one moment 
strove to save a drowning companion, and the 
next to rescue another from the hands of the ene- 
my, when suddenly, — I tremble to relate it, — he 
*was seized by three Mexican captains 

The Children. O, father ! 

The Father. And borne away in triumph. 

The Children. Dreadful ! 
The Father. Two of his officers seeing their 
general dragged thus ignominiously along, resolved 
to rescue him, or perish in the attempt. They 
rushed into the midst of the enemy, attacked those 
who held their commander, stretched them lifeless 

on the ground, and were themselves slain But 

Cortez escaped ! 

The Children. What generous fellows ! 

The Father. Yes, Cortez escaped ; though 
in a pitiable situation, and with the loss of many 
men. A thousand Tlascalans, and more than 
sixty Spaniards, had been either killed or made 
prisoners, and scarcely one of those who had 
escaped, but was wounded. The heart of 
Cortez bled for these calamities ; but his compas- 
sion and grief were speedily changed into horror 
and alarm, by a new sce^e still more c;eadful. 

Night no sooner approached, :<i*n the Spa-*- 
niards perceived the whole city illuminated, whiie 

the 



€011TEZ. 235 

the sound of warlike instruments, and the fero- 
cious exclamations of the vanquishers, announced 
that they were preparing to celebrate the barba- 
rous festival of their triumph. The illumination 
of the principal temple was such, that the multi- 
tude assembled could be clearly distinguished, and 
also tfye preparation of the priests for the massacre 
of the prisoners ; a sight to which the imagina- 
tion of the Spaniards added new horrors. Among 
the vi&ims they fancied they could distinguish 
their unfortunate companions by the colour of 
their skins, beheld them, as they were, constrained 
to dance before the hideous idols to which they 
were going to be sacrificed, and discerned even the 
voices of their friends, in the cries of the unfortu- 
nate whom they saw dragged to the altar to be 
immolated, The most insensible grew pale at this 
horrid spectacle, and Cortez himself vented his 
grief in a copious flood of tears. 

Mathias. Oh, those abominable Mexicans "! I 
shall never again have compassion for them I 

Theophilus. Nor I, if they are hewn in 
pieces. 

The Mother. What, so cruel, Theophilus ? * 

Theophilus. Yes, dear mother. Why were 
they so cruel as to kill their fellow-creatures, and 
eat them like beef or mutton ? 

The 



23§ CQRTEZ* 

The Mother. Is it not a great misfortune for 
these poor ignorant creatures to have been bred up 
in the practice of a religion which not only per- 
mitted, but even enjoined, these cruelties as a 
duty ? 

Theopkilus. Yes but still 

The Father. Patience, my children, and the 
indignation you feel will soon be converted into a 
compassion equally jusz ; at present, attend to the 
conclusion of my melancholy history. The situ- 
ation of Conez was on a sudden become one of 
the most dangerous. The spirits of his soldiers 
were uncommonly depressed, and his enemies were 
inspired with additional courage ; their confidence 
even went so far, that the next morning they made 
a sortie, and ventured to attack the general quar- 
ter — where the Spaniards and their allies, with 
great difficulty, repulsed them ; but they had still 
more to fear, the consequence of a military stra- 
tagem, devised by Guatimozin. He sent the heads 
of the Spaniards, who had been slain, into the 
neighbouring provinces, and caused it to be pro- 
claimed, that the blood of their enemies, whom he 
had sacrificed, had appeased the anger of the God 
of War, who had declared, that these odious in- 
truders should all be destroyed in the space of 
eight days. This news caused a sudden defection 

of 



CQ11TEZ. 237 

«df all the Indians in alliance with the Spaniards. 
Their superstition not suffering them for an in- 
stant to doubt that the menace of their God of War 
could fail of its effe£t, they hastened to dissolve all 
connefition with a people whom Heaven itself had 
doomed to destruction, Even the Tlascalans be* 
gan to grow cool and desert them ; but Cortez, 
who knew how to turn every circumstance to his 
advantage, instantly devised means to prevent the 
general disaffection of his allies. He forbade all 
a6Vs of hostility during eight days, covered his well 
entrenched army by the brigantines, and waited' 
tranquilly till the expiration of the term, which 
Guatimozin had imprudently determined, and 
fixed at too short a date. The time predicted for 
the entire destruction of the Spaniards elapsed, and 
they remained in perfect security. The eyes of 
the allies therefore were immediately opened; they 
saw clearly they had been deceived, blushed at 
their credulity, and returned to the Spaniards more 
resolute than ever to assist them to overthrow the 
detested empire of Mexico. Others who really 
considered the false oracle as a decree of their God 
of War, now imagined that their idols, to confirm 
the downfal of the Mexicans and render it more 
inevitable, had purposely buoyed them up with 
deceitful hopes. These also came over to the 

Spaniards; 



238 CORTEZ. 

Spaniards; so that the number of the ok! and new 
allies was so great that Cortez in a few days be- 
held himself at the head x>f an army consisting of 
an hundred and fifty thousand Indians, — another 
example of the rapidity with which good and iH 
fortune frequently succeed each other. 

So little did Cortez suffer himself to be elated 
by this astonishing increase of his power, that 
from this moment he became more than ever re- 
solved to a£t with prudence and circumspection.— 
He even renewed (to the honour of his heart be 
it spoken ) the overtures of peace which had al- 
ready been several times made to the Mexicans; 
but Gu^timozin, fully convinced that all con- 
nection with the Spaniards must end in his own 
and (he slavery of his people, rejected with con- 
tempt every proposal of accommodation, firmly 
resolving to deliver his country, or to sacrifice his 
life in the attempt. Hostilities were therefore re- 
commenced ; and Cortez, finding himself suffici- 
ently strong to block up the city, took his mea- 
sures so effectually that all supplies were cut off; 
in consequence of which a dreadful famine, ac- 
companied, as is usually the case, with a pestilence, 
ensued, and the poor inhabitants thus pressed on 
all sides were carried off by hundreds. Corte^ in 
the mean-while advanced every day nearer the 

city* 



CORTEZ. 23(j 

city, by the causeways of which I have lately 
spoken, and, agreeably to the new plan he had 
adopted, took the precaution, as he drove out the 
enemy, to occupy the chasms by the auxiliary 
troops, that he might not a second time incur the 
danger of being obstructed in his retreat. The 
Spaniards had already reached the city by three 
passes, yet still the valiant .Guatimozin continued 
to dispute the ground with them inch by inch with 
unshaken firmness; but the Spaniards, continuing 
still to press forward, set fire to all the parts of the 
city they had carried, and established themselves 
by entrenchments. The great square was fixed 
on as the general place of rendezvous for the 
three columns. Alvarado attained it first; and 
Cortez, who had placed himself at the head of the 
band led by Olid, arrived there soon after and 
joined in the pursuit of the Mexicans, who ned 
before the column of - r Alvarado al read v arranged 
in order for battle. Sandoval was equaliv active, 
and a dreadful carnage ensued, The Spaniards 
had already carried and reduced three parts of the 
city to ashes; and Guatimozin, with the flower of 
his army, had fortified himself in (he quarter that 
remained. The Spaniards were preparing to ren- 
der themselves masters of that also ; but Coi tez, 
who was desirous of putting an end to the mas- 
sacre., 



240 CORTEZ. 

sacre, and who flattered himself with the hope that 
the perseverance of Guatimozin was nearly ex- 
hausted, forbade his army to attempt new hosti- 
lities, and once more renewed the propositions of 
peace, so often reje&ed. Guatimozin appeared 
inclined to accept them, and there followed, with- 
out any express agreement, a suspension of arms 
for three days. In this interval the two parties 
were separated only by a single fosse; but perfe<5t 
tranquillity reigned on both sides, except that a 
Mexican would sometimes take a fancy to play 
the hero, and advance without the intrenchment 
to insult the Spaniards by threats and menaces. 
The greater part of these braggarts were punished 
for their insolence with contempt, but some in a 
more energetic manner. One among them espe- 
cially experienced this — Armed with the sword 
and buckler of a Spaniard who had been sacrificed, 
he advanced like another Goliah, and, planting 
himself between the two armies, in the most op- 
probrious terms openly defied the Spaniards to 
combat. Several testified a desire of punishing his 
audacity; but Cortez restrained them, and con- 
tented himself with causing this Quixote to be told 
by their interpreter, that if he would bring ten 
others like himself he would permit a lad whom 
he pointed out to chastise them. The young man 

alluded 



GORTEZ. 241 

afiuded to was Marcado, page to Cortez, and 
about sixteen years of age. This contemptuous 
refusal of his challenge having incensed the Mex- 
ican still more, he renewed his defiance; and 
Marcado considering the affair as his own, since 
the general had expressly nominated him, without 
uttering a word leaped out of the ranks, and run- 
ning straight to the bravado, attacked him with 
such fury, that he soon extended him lifeless upon 
the earth. His spirit was highly applauded ; and 
when he* returned to lay the sword and buckler of 
the enemy at the feet of his master, Cortez em- 
braced him with joy, and as a recompense of his 
valour, with his own hands girded on him the 
sword he had conquered. 

During this time Guatimozin amused the Spa- 
niards from day to day with the assurance that he 
would himself come in person to treat with them 
on the conditions of peace; but this was merely a 
pretext, by which he hoped to lull their vigilance 
and conceal his real intention. At the earnest en- 
treaty of his nobles, he had suffered himself at 
length to be prevailed on to preserve his person, by 
flight, from the inevitable dangers of death or 
slavery ; and to go into the more distant province^ 
of the empire to raise a new army, with which he 
might be able to make head against the enemy. 
M All 



242 CORTEZ. 

All the necessary preparations were made to favour 
his escape. The Mexican chiefs, ready to sacri- 
fice their lives for the salvation of their prince, 
went on board a number of canoes, which were 
kept ready, and vigorously attacked the brigan- 
tines; while Guatimozin, the sole obje£t of their 
anxious cares, was to evade them on the lake. In 
vain Sandoval, whojiad then the command of the 
brigantines, endeavoured to repulse them by the 
fire of his artillery ; death and wounds were 
equally despised, thev intrepidly rowed up to him, 
and forced him with the greatest obstinacy to come 
to adlion. But now Sandoval suddenly perceived 
on the lake some canoes, which were by dint of 
oars urged on with the greatest celerity, and sus- 
pedting their importance, immediately gave chase 
to them. Holguin, whose brigantine was the 
swiftest sailer, reached them first; but it was no 
sooner perceived that he meant to come to hosti- 
lities, than the rowers stopped, and the soldiers 
throwing down their arms joined them in con- 
juring the Spaniards with tears to spare the life of 
their emperor. Transported with the advantage 
fortune had given him, Holguin leaped sword in 
hand into the canoe, where he distinguished the 
unfortunate monarch by the respedl his suite tes- 
tified for him. Guatimozin advanced towards 

him 



CORTEZ. 243 

fiim with a noble and undaunted air ; told him he 
was his prisoner, and ready to follow him, and 
that he only requested his wife and her compa- 
nions might be treated with the respe£b due to 
them. Then turning towards his wife he spoke 
some words of consolation to her, and gave his 
hand to Holguin to be conduced into the brigan- 
tine. This event decided the fate of the whole 
empire of Mexico, which in the person of its so- 
vereign fell into the hands of the Spaniards ; it 
happened August 13th, 1521. Holguin with all 
speed conveyed his illustrious prisoner to Cortez, 
who on this important intelligence advanced to 
meet the royal captive, whom he received on the 
bank of the lake with all the respeft due co his 
rank and valour. t The unfortunate Guatimozin 
appeared to experience a degree of pleasure from 
this polite attention of his vanquisher, and followed 
him with dignity to his quarter. After seating 
himself for a few moments he rose, and by the aid 
of an interpreter addressed Cortez in these words: 
— " I have done what my duty required; my cares 
are now unavailing, and a prisoner of my rank 
must be a charge to his vanquisher. Let this po* 
niard then (laying his hand on that Cortez wore) 
be buried in my heart, and rid me of a life no 
longer honourable to myself or useful to my 
• M2 subjeas.' 5 



244 CORTEX. 

subje£ts." The affiidtton of his wife, who o* 
these words broke into open exclamations of sor- 
row, rendered it a scene truly affedting. Cortex 
was moved, and endeavoured to console the unfor- 
tunate pair; after which he left them to give free 
vent to their grief, on which he justly conceived 
his presence might be a restraint. Oh that this 
sentiment of humanity had never forsaken him ! 
But, alas, my children, I must again present you 
with a terrible example of that degeneracy into 
which great, and in some respe&s good men may 
fall when corrupted by prosperity. Hear then of 
what the brave Cortez was capable, and let the 
errors of his conduft ever prove to you an alarm- 
ing and salutary caution. When it was known 
that Guatimozin was taken, the Mexicans threw 
down their arms, and the Spaniards remained 
entire masters of the city. v 

The first days were passed by the Spaniards 
in the intoxication of joy caused by the success of 
their enterprise; but soon their mirth was converted 
into murmurs and discontent, on perceiving the 
moderate booty which was to be the recompense 
of the many toils and dangers they had undergone. 
The greater part of the houses, with the creasure 
they contained, had become a prey to the flames ; 
and from the instant Guatimozin had entertained 

doubts 



CORTEX. 245 

doubts concerning the possibility of saving the 
capital, he had caused all the precious articles of 
the imperial treasury to be thrown into the. lake ; 
at least he was accused of having done so. The 
booty therefore was so trifling, that several Spa- 
niards rejedled with contempt the share allotted 
them. All murmured loudly against- Guatimozin; 
nor did their general escape, whom they had the 
presumption to accuse, of having kept back the 
greatest part of the treasures. 

Cortez in vain essayed every effort to appease 
them ; Aldrete, who was nominated Treasurer 
Royal, appeared at the head of the malecontents, 
and in virtue of his office demanded that the em- 
peror and his first minister should be delivered up 
to them, that they might oblige them to confess 
into what part of the lake the treasure had been 
thrown. Though Cortez had before sustained 
a similar storm, he was now weak* or rather in- 
human enough to yield to the. desires of these bar- 
barians, and Guatimozin and his faithful minister 
were — put to the torture. 

[The feelings of the Children obliged their father 
to pauje for fome minutes, after which he continued.] 

Let us pass over, my children, as quick as 
possible a scene so repugnant to humanity. Gua- 
timozin with admirable fortitude supported all the 
M3 torments 



246 CORTEZ. 

torments his executioners were capable of in- 
flicting. His minister imitated his example ; but 
his cruel persecutors urging his torments beyond 
the power of human nature to bear (it is said they 
stretched him on a gridiron over burning coals) he 
gave a violent shriek, and at the same time turned 
his eyes upon his master as if to demand the per- 
mission of confessing what he knew. Guatimozin 
comprehended this glance, and replied with un- 
shaken serenity, " Am I on a bed of roses ff* These 
words pierced the heart of the faithful minister; 
not another syllable could his torments extort, he 
expired in the presence of his master whh the for- 
titude of a hero, and the resignation of a saint. 

Cortez, who from afar heard the shriek of the 
expiring minister, ran to the place, penetrated with 
repentance and shame, and happily arrived in 
time to preserve the life of the tortured prince ; but, 

alas! Enough, however for to-day; we have 

already dwelt too long on a subjeft of so much 
horror. 



DIALOGUE 



CQRTEZ. 247 



DIALOGUE XVL 

A HE Father. Once more, my children, I draw 
aside the curtain in order to represent to you the 
last scene of the cruel tragedy of Mexico ; after 
which we will let it drop. 

Some of the Children. It is not yet finished, 
father ? 

The Father. Not quite ; but we draw very 
near the conclusion. All the provinces of the 
empire in a short time underwent the fate of the 
capital; they submitted one after the other, and 
their unfortunate inhabitants experienced the same 
rigour which during twenty years had harassed 
and destroyed the natives of the isles of America — 
they were subdued, oppressed by every possible 
means, and inhumanly slaughtered. — You will, I 
trust, dispense with a circumstantial detail of all 
the a6ts of injustice committed with respect to 
them. 

Cortez, in the mean time, had not received 
any answer from Spain, and was in consequence 
still uncertain what sentiments were entertained 
concerning the ccnducT: he had pursued. At 
length a vessel arrived in the port of Vera Cruz, 
M 4 having 



248 gortez. 

kaving on board a person, named Tapia, sent — • 
can you guess for what purpose, my children ? 

John. To bring Cortez the patents to con- 
stitute him Governor of Mexico, I suppose. 

The Father. No ; he was sent to depose Cortez, 
arrest him, to bring him to trial, and to take his 
!>lace. 

Ferdinand. Oh, that was terrible indeed. 

The Father. It was, without doubt, a treat- 
ment very severe and ungrateful; but to judge 
according to the rigour of the laws, how does it 
appear? Had not Cortez offended against the 
laws, and merited punishment ?— But we are not 
set up to pronounce upon the conduct of kings 
and their officers ; there is a judge whom they can- 
not escape, and it is before him it will be decided 
whether or nor Spain was unjust to Cortez. For- 
tunately for him, the person chosen for his judge 
was extremely weak and timid ; the artful Cortez 
therefore contrived to embarrass him with so many 
difficulties, and to present to his pusillanimous soul 
so many obstacles to alarm, that he considered it 
as the safest way to return without executing his 
commission. The storm that threatened Cortez 
was however only averted for a short time ; he 
was sensible of this, and, to free himself from the 
inquietude, again sent a messenger to Spain, to 

the 



CORTEZ. 249 

the Emperor Charles the Fifth,, who* you- re- 
colled, was also King of Spain. 

The Children. Oh, yes, we remember. 

The Father. Cortez, I repeat, sent a person- 
on whom he. could rely, to the emperor, to give a 
circumstantial detail of his adlions, and at the same 
time to lay at his feet that part of the booty- al- 
lotted to him. Hitherto the emperor,., engrossed 
by other cares, had remitted the examination of 
this affair to people who wished ill to Cortez ; 
but he now judged it expedient to look into it him- 
self. The glory of so many extraordinary ac- 
tions, the grandeur and importance of the conquest 
made by Cortez, inspired this monarch with the 
most lively joy and astonishment; he approved all 
he had done, declared him governor and viceroy of 
New Spain, and at the same time appointed com- 
missioners to examine into* the pretensions of Va- 
lasquez, governor of Cuba. They, (as it often 
happens) conformed their judgment to the inclinat- 
ion of their master. The complaints of Valas- 
quez, concerning the perfidy of Cortez, and his 
pretensions to the government of the countries 
conquered by the latter, were declared null » he 
was simply indemnified for the expences he had 
incurred in the last expedition, and, to the great 
humiliation of this ambitious man, the express 
M.&. prohibition* 



250 CORTEZ. 

prohibition was added, of never projecting any 
conquest without having first obtained the appro- 
bation of the king — a double affront, which so far 
exceeded the fortitude of the haughty and passion- 
ate Valasquez, that it cost him his life. Cortez 
was, on the contrary, at the height of his wishes ; 
but, alas ! why must I add, that his virtue began 
to totter in proportion as his fortune strengthened. 
Willingly would I remain silent on the corrup- 
tion of his heart, but the voice of outraged huma- 
nity exclaims too loudly for me longer to conceal 
it. Attend then to the detail, and lament, with 
me, the fall of a man, whose distinguished quali- 
ties, while he had difficulties to combat, were firm 
as a rock in the midst of the sea, but were unable 
to resist the influence of a milder fate. 

He began to re- build Mexico, which promised 
to become the first city of America, and has con- 
tinued so to the present time. To excite his of- 
ficers to plough up the lands in the different pro- 
vinces, he divided them into territories, and granted 
them over the natives the same tyrannic and ab- 
solute power which had been formerly usurped 
over the islanders, and they were equally op- 
pressed and destroyed. The warlike character 
of this great and once powerful nation, however, 
rendered its entire subjection more difficult than 

might 



CORTEZ. 251 

might have been imagined ; the natives several 
times attempted to break the bonds by which they 
were held in servitude, and to regain their freedom. 
Their oppressors considered these efforts as rebel- 
lion, which merited a punishment of the utmost 
rigour ; and on these occasions exercised, if not by 
the express order of Cortez, at least with his con- 
sent, cruelties which fixed an eternal stain on the 
former glory of this hardy conqueror. For exam- 
ple, in the province of Panuco (which you see 
here ori the map) these fiends, in the human form, 
caused sixty caciques, and four hundred noble 
Mexicans, to be burnt alive at one time ; and, to 
render the scene still more terrible, obliged the 
children and relations of the unfortunate men 
to be witnesses of the tragical execution. 

The Children, Oh, wretches \ barbarians \ 
The Father. Would it have been possible to 
believe that the inhuman pride of these victors, 
intoxicated with success, could have gone farther ? 
Yet their cruelty did not end here. On a suspi- 
cion, founded on very weak grounds, that GuatiV 
mozin favoured the revolt of his former subjects, 
and was endeavouring to escape from prison, this 
brave and generous prince, with the Caciques 
x>f Tezeuco and Tacuba, who, according to the 
order of their ancient dignity, were the next in 

rank 



252 CORTEZ. 

rank to Kim, were brought to public execution, . 
and hanged in the presence of the whole nation. 

Charlotte. Oh, dear papa, say no more of 
Cortez ! 

Frederic. I am like Charlotte ; I detest him, 
since he is capable of a£ling with such inhur 
manity* 

The- Father. I, too, my children, feel so 
shocked at these atrocious a£ts, that I should here 
close my recital, if what I have further to add did 
not serve to -convince us that such crimes rarely 
go unpunished, even in this life. — Some Spanish 
officers, who had been sent to Mexico, to collect 
the revenues of the king, endeavoured, without any 
authority from the court, . to extend their power 
there, and to assume a judicial authority over the 
viceroy himself. Gortez, who, we have.already 
seen, was not formed to be sported with by men, 
whom he considered, in every respedt, inferior to 
himself, laughed at their feeble attempts to set limits 
to his jurisdi&ion, and continued to a6t as he 
thought proper ; but the men, whose authority he 
contemned, had a formidable weapon, whicli they 
resolved to employ against him — this was their 
pen, by the aid of which they remitted to the court 
so disgusting a pidlure of Cortez, and of his ty^ 
rannic government, that it inspired both the king 

and* 



GQRTEZ. 253 

and his ministers with suspicions that he was en- 
deavouring to render himself independent. In 
consequence of this, they resolved to dispatch a 
commissioner to Mexico, to examine into the con- 
duct of Cortez, with the power of sending him to 
Spain as he should judge proper. Cortez was at 
this time engaged in making preparations for a 
very hazardous expedition from Mexico to Hon- 
duras, (look again at your first map), in order to 
subject that vast extent of territory to the crown of 
Spain, and at the same time to punish Olid, who 
had revolted against him. In this expedition there 
appeared so much to suffer from hunger, the hos- 
tilities of the natives, and inconveniences of differ- 
ent kinds, that all Cortez had formerly endured 
appeared, in comparison, but a mere trifle. 

In the mean time, the commissioner appointed 
t9 examine into his condudl arrived, but had 
scarcely disembarked, when he fell sick and died. 
This event did not avert the threatened danger from 
Cortez ; his enemies continued to remit, to the 
court of Spain, reports to his disadvantage, which, 
confirming the former suspicions, a new commis- 
sioner was sent, with still fuller powers, to exa- 
mine iato his conduit and punish him. Cortez, 
informed of what was transacting against him, 
was exasperated, on seeing the great and painful 

services 



254 coHTjSZ. 

services he had rendered his country thus requited, 
His friends strongly counselled him to avoid the 
shameful treatmefit that was preparing for him, 
by rendering himself independent, and endeavour- 
ing to repel force by force ; but misfortune had, 
in some measure, recalled that greatness of soul, 
which the intoxication of success had for a time 
stifled, and he refused to take any step which could 
not be authorised by the fidelity and obedience due 
to his sovereign — generously resolving rather to 
suffer the most ungrateful and injurious treatment, 
than to rebel against the legislative power of his 
country. 

The Mother. It is well he has done something 
to reinstate him a little in our opinion. 

The Father, The return of his virtue, and the 
severity of the mortifications he endured, will, I 
hope, in some measure, obliterate the remembrance 
of his great defe6ts, and lead you to mingle a de- 
gree of compassion with the just detestation you 
feel for his crimes. The high spirit of Cortez 
could not brook the thought of being tried as a 
-wretched criminal in the very country which had 
been the scene of his victories ; he resolved, there- 
fore, to sail for Spain, before the arrival of his 
judge, in order to submit the decision of his fate to 
the mercy and justice of his sovereign. 

When 



CORTEZ* . 255 

When he appeared in Spain, all eyes were 
turned with respecT: and admiration on the extraor- 
dinary man, whose exploits appeared so to eclipse 
the glory of the greatest heroes. The confidence 
with which he presented himself before his judge, 
at once dissipated all suspicions to his disadvantage. 
The King received him with marks of the most 
tender esteem, and of the highest gratitude, and 
loaded him with favours. He presented him with 
the collar of the Spanish order, created him count, 
and assigned him a considerable extent of land in 
New Spain ; but when the question was debated, 
whether he should be confirmed in his govern- 
ment, it was evident it was considered as too dan- 
gerous to re-invest him with the power it was 
feared he had so greatly abused. All he could 
obtain was, the confirmation of his dignity as ge- 
neral, and the full power of making any new dis- 
covery ; but with respect to what concerned the 
government of the country, and the administration 
of civil justice, a college was established, to which 
was given the title of The Council of New Spain, 

Old Mexico is now divided into three districts, 
or governments, called audiences, over which the 
viceroy, appointed by the King of Spain, presides. 
It is accounted the most lucrative post entrusted to 
any subject ; but then its duration seldom extends 



256 CORTEZ. 

to more than three- years. The revenue to the 
crown is estimated at about a million sterling, and 
the population about 150,000 souls. Mexico, the 
chief city, is situated in a beautiful vale, near the 
banks of a lake ; it is intersected by several canals, 
the soil being marshy, the houses are founded on 
piles. The streets are wide and straight, but very 
dirty. The. houses are like those in Spain. The . 
viceroy's palace is a superb building ; it stands near 
the cathedral, in a central square ; behind the pa- 
lace is the mint, where the owners of the mines 
exchange their bullion for coin. The city is 
adorned with .squares and fountains, and the catho- 
dral enriched with images of solid silver, &c. 
Near the Alamada, or public walk, is.the.Que- 
madero, where they burn the Jews, and other vic- 
tims of the inquisition. The Quern adero is an 
inclosure between four walls, filled with ovens, 
into which are cast the poor wretches condemned 
to be burned alive. But we will now proceed. 

Cortez returned to Mexico ; but from that pe- 
riod his life was one continued chain of chagrin 
and mortification. From the Members of the 
Council, who were joined with him in the admi- 
nistration of affairs, he experienced such repeated 
vexations, that, to avoid them, he again plunged 

into 



CQRTEZ, 257 

into thoseperplexities and dangers inseparable from 
the reduction of unknown countries. 

He equipped a squadron on the western coast 
of Mexico, in order to make discoveries in the 
Great Southern Ocean ; and, after incredible fa- 
tigues, and the greatest dangers, succeeded in dis- 
covering the Peninsula of California, which joins 
North America. But I need not tell you where 
this peninsula is situated. 

The Children^ shewing it on the map. Oh, here 
it is. 

John. This great gulf, which separates it 
from the continent, is called the Red Sea. 

The Father. It must not be confounded with 
-the Red Sea between Egypt and Arabia. The 
Red Sea, which separates the peninsula, of which 
we now speak, from America, is now more fre- 
quently called the Gulf of California. But to pro- 
ceed. As Cortez, on his return from this painful 
expedition, continued to experience the same vex- 
ations from the council as before, he resolved, 
confident in the equity of his sovereign, and, re- 
lying on his former favour, to sail once more for 
Spain, in order to lay his complaints at the foot of 
the throne. Unfortunate man ! little did he fore- 
see the still more Litter mortifications to which he 
was on the point of exposing himself! His life 

having 



253 CORTEZ. 

having been always active and warlike, he had 
little opportunity of observing the instability of 
a court, and how little the favour of the great 
is to be relied on. — This, to his astonishment, he 
now experienced ; he was coldly received, his 
complaints were heard with negligence, and his 
solicitations treated with contempt. As he was 
grown old, little service could be expected from 
his exertions, and this furnished an ample reason 
for neglecting him. What he had already done 
for the advantage of his king and his country, was 
either forgotten, or thought to have been suf- 
ficiently recompensed. To conclude, this great, 
this extraordinary man, at the end of his perilous 
career, found himself cast off, forgotten, and, like 
Columbus, obliged to sue fur justice of an un- 
grateful sovereign, and a capricious minister. — 
He passed six melancholy years in an employment 
but little congenial to his character and former 
manner of life; at the end of which, grief and 
vexation, for such unworthy treatment, put an 
end to his life. He died the 2d of December, 
1547, in the sixty-second year of his age. His 
body, at his express command, was transported to 
New Spain — probably because he considered his 
country unworthy of receiving the remains of a 
benefactor she had so ungratefully recompensed. 

The 



CORTEX. 25 Q 

The Children* What, is it finished already ? 

The Father. With respect to Cortez, entirely ; 
but since my narrative appears to have interested 
you so greatly, perhaps I may inform myself of 
what, during this time, has been passing in an- 
other part of America, and if I meet with any 
thing worth recounting — 

Theophilus. Oh, 1 can guess ; we shall have 
Pizarro. 

Frederic. Oh, Pizarro ! Pizarro ! 1 

We shall see, replied the father- — and with 
these words the assembly dispersed. 



THE END OF CORTEZ. 



iS'orbury, Printer, lirentfoid. 



Lately Published, 

To be had of Cradock and Joy, 32, Pater-Noster-Row. 

THE 

FJRUITS OF 1REFJLECTION; 

OR, 

MORAL REMEMBRANCES 

ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS. 
DESIGNED FOR THE PERUSAL OF YOUTH. 

By ELIZABETH HELME, 

AUTHOR OF 

THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND ROME, 

AS RELATED BY A FATHER TO HIS CHILDREN; 

INSTRUCTIVE RAMBLES, &C. &C. 



In the Prefs, 

COLUMBUS; 

OR, THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA. 

Translated from the German of J. H. Campe, 
BY E. HELME. 

A New Edition, with the Translator's last Correction* 
and Improvements. 



ALSO, 

PIZARRO; 
OR, THE CONQUEST OF PERU. 



H 99 78 






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